The city of Milwaukee was recently selected by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the top 25 cities for an independent filmmaker to live - based on employment opportunities, reasonable cost of living, strong quality of life, affordable home prices and financial incentives.

Things like the number of film schools, festivals, movie vendors and local theaters were also factored in the rankings.

Milwaukee ranked ninth on the list, which cited Wisconsin's 25-percent state refundable tax credit as one key incentive.

Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton told the magazine she was not surprised that Milwaukee made the list.

"This 'Third Coast' city boasts glamour and vistas matching anything New York or Los Angeles can offer," Lawton said.

Wisconsin has been providing filmmakers with the 25-percent refundable tax credit since early 2008. Wisconsin also offers filmmakers a 15-percent film production company investment credit, which, according to the article, has Hollywood taking notice.

Director Michael Mann recently completed filming parts of the John Dillinger movie "Public Enemies," starring Jonny Depp. 

The magazine also cites Milwaukee's new $6 million RDI Stages rental complex as an asset for filmmakers. The studio rests in two converted WWII-era factory buildings and has 27,000 square feet of space for use.

"Filmmakers coming to Milwaukee luxuriate in our Midwestern work ethic and frugality," Lawton said.

Footprints, a shoe store located at 2728 Heritage Drive, Delafield, recently announced that it is hosting a shoe drive to benefit Soles4Souls Inc., the international footwear charity that delivers shoes to needy people around the world.

Footprints will offer a 20-percent discount to all customers who bring in gently worn pairs of shoes toward the effort. The shoe drive will begin Sunday, Feb. 1, and run through Saturday, Feb. 28. 

"When things seem bad, we need to realize how good we have it. We have a roof over our heads, food on our tables and shoes on our feet. There are people that don't have any of that," Footprints owner Wendy Goralski said. "Footprints believes in the importance of giving.  This is such a simple way anyone can help those less fortunate.  Now, more than ever, it is harder for people to give money. This is a good way to make a big difference without giving any money at all."

"We are excited that Footprints is working with us to spread joy to people, both here in the United States and around the world," said Wayne Elsey, founder of Soles4Souls. "It is only because of proactive retail stores, such as Footprints, that we are able to accomplish our goal of getting shoes on the feet of people who need them most."

For more information on how you can get involved with this shoe drive and take advantage of the discount toward a new pair of shoes, contact Ryan Goralski at (262) 646-2267. You can also visit their website at www.footprintsshoes.net.

Kohler Original Recipe Chocolates recently received national recognition in the February 2009 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine.

The issue appeared on newsstands in mid-January and featured the Kohler chocolates on the front page of "The O-List," as "little works of edible art, perfect for Valentines day gift giving."

"It is an honor to be recognized by someone as prominent as Oprah for a business in its relative infancy. This is the highest level of recognition that we could have hoped for our handmade chocolates," said chef Ulrich Koberstein, director of culinary arts for Kohler Co. "This is a great reward for the hard work and creativity that has gone into the creation and expansion of Kohler Original Recipe Chocolates."

"The O List" is a monthly section in the magazine that features products that the editors and Oprah Winfrey think are great.

The entire line of handmade Kohler Original Recipe Chocolates is available for purchase online at www.KOHLERchocolates.com or at the Craverie Chocolatier Café located at The Shops at Woodlake Kohler.

Name: James Valentine

Title: Owner; CEO

Company: J & D Shop Systems Inc. dba Cousins Subs

Company address: 17900 Bluemound Rd., Brookfield, WI

Company web site: www.cousinssubs.com

Industry: restaurants

Education: Some technical college courses

Family:  "My wife and I together have seven children, and most of them have joined us in the family business of owning and operating six Cousins Subs restaurants. My wife, Leah Valentine, is vice president of the business and handles the financial/administrative side of things along with my daughter, Leah Daane. Leah's husband Jeff Daane runs our Bluemound Rd. store in Brookfield. I have a son, Jason Valentine, that is supervisor over all the stores. I have two teenage kids that are close to working in the stores, they are Jacob and Rachel. I also have two sons Josh, and Adam who moved on in life with other careers. Last but not least is my youngest daughter, Sophia who just turned 2 in October. My wife and I have been blessed with 4 grandchildren and we have two more on the way!"

Hobbies and Interests: "I enjoy almost all sports, but especially Marquette basketball. I also love doing things with my family and just being at home, interacting with the kids and grandchildren. We love playing board and card games."

Favorite book and/or movie: "My favorite book is 'The Remarkable Wisdom of Solomon' by Henry M. Morris. My favorite movie is 'Fireproof.'"

Favorite musician/band: 4 Him

Favorite place to visit/vacation: "We spend time in Wisconsin Dells annually. It is a local place that all can enjoy. We love to camp as a family and we make a point to visit our state parks every summer."

Favorite local restaurant: “Carrabba's Italian Grill - it's the best."

Words to live by: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

What is your core philosophy for doing business? "In all things do them with excellence. Put the needs of others ahead of yours and you will also be blessed in the process."

Who is your role model and why? “Ronald Reagan. He was a man of integrity, he loved his family and wasn't afraid to show it. He also handled himself with honor and reverence. He loved the great USA and dedicated many years of his life to it."

What was the funniest thing that has ever happened to you? "We had a situation last year at a big catering event with about 5000 people. One of our family members noticed an SUV that was parked in a tow away zone with its keys in the ignition. The SUV looked identical to our supervisor's so they decided to move the car for him thinking they were just helping out. After moving it to the parking lot they went inside to give our supervisor his keys back and let him know they moved it. He looked down at the keys and said, 'Those aren't my keys and that wasn't my SUV!' Well my family member's face turned white and they flew out the door to put the SUV back before the real owner came out. We all got a good laugh out of it!"

Advertising & Public Relations

Vollrath Associates, Inc., Milwaukee, recently announced that Michaela Ross has joined the firm as an account coordinator.  She will provide a variety of media relations, public relations and marketing communications services to the firm's clients.

Building & Construction

Doug Mortenson, recently joined Mortenson Construction, Brookfield as safety director.    Mortenson has an extensive history of working in several similar safety roles, and most recently served as the global environmental health and safety program coordinator for Kohler Company in Kohler.

Chambers of Commerce and Visitors Bureaus

The Greater Brookfield Chamber of Commerce recently named Tom Krumenacher patent attorney at Ryan, Kromholz & Manion, S.C., Brookfield, chairman of the chamber's board of directors. 

Engineering

K. Singh & Associates, Inc., Elm Grove, recently announced the promotions of Muhammad Adil to project engineer and Justin Berrens to project geologist. Tung Doan was also added to the firm as a staff structural engineer.

Government Organizations

The Milwaukee County Department of Transportation and Public Works recently announced the appointment of Stevan Keith to the position of sustainability and environmental engineer in the architecture, engineering and environmental services division of the DTPW. Keith has been serving as the acting director of environmental services since July of 2007.

"At the rate that this city is declining, I'm not sure how much longer I can "hang in there," dreaming that someday we will find the Holy Grail and everything will be just great. Anything I do to help create jobs, start new businesses or encourage existing businesses to grow and come to Milwaukee seems futile."

- Milwaukee business owner Wayne Staats, in a letter to Alderman Robert Puente.
Read the full Milwaukee Biz Blog: Milwaukee is in demise, but my taxes are up