Milwaukee Brewing Company is celebrating American Craft Beer week by kicking off public tours of its 2nd Street Brewery, beginning on Thursday, May 20, at 4 p.m.
“Our new brewery represents creative reuse of equipment from breweries and other industries,” said Jim McCabe, owner of the brewery. “We used years of brewing and engineering experience to create a hot rod that runs on vegetable oil. Our tour experience gives visitors more than just an overview of the basics of brewing. The take away experience is our love and respect for Milwaukee, and a desire to go make something.”
According to McCabe, the brewery tour will highlight the brewery’s unique conservation and sustainability message and will be more hands-on than most brewery tours.
The brewery, located at 613 S. Second St., is just a few blocks from its original brew pub the Milwaukee Ale House. In 2008, Milwaukee Brewing Company formed the brewery on Second Street to keep up with the demand of beer at the Ale House.
"Tours will last 45 to 50 minutes, and will focus on the brewing process of a small scale brewery, but also on what it means to be a part of the brewing legacy in Milwaukee," McCabe said.  "Manufacturing is such a deep part of our community and that culture ends up being an incredible resource for anybody trying to produce something here."
The tours will also include short video clips from the brewmaster explaining the influences behind the flavors of the beer and also the key to pairing it with great food, McCabe said.
The brewery will be open for tours on a first come basis, with reservations for groups. Regular tour hours are Friday, 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., and Saturday at 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday and other weekday tours can be scheduled by appointment. The tours are $5 and include beer sampling throughout the tour, customized Milwaukee Brewing Company glassware, other logo gear and a token for a free beer at one of six Walker's Point bars, McCabe said.
Visitors should call (414) 226-2337 for tour appointments.

Milwaukee-based Palermo’s Pizza will host its Palermo’s Pizza Primary on Saturday, May 22, at Villa Palermo, 3301 W. Canal St., at 11 a.m. The primary event is part of Palermo’s Pizza Decision 2K10, in order to decide how American’s prefer their pizza; squares or slices.
“Even our own family, with deep Sicilian roots, is divided on the issue,” said Giacomo Fallucca, president and CEO of Palermo’s Pizza. “We’re asking Milwaukee to help us start a national campaign to finally put the decision to rest.”
After the Milwaukee primary, Palermo’s will take the debate on the road with mobile sampling units that will head out on the campaign trail after the event. Palermo’s will then launch its official Decision 2K10 election website, www.SquareVsSlice.com.
The event is free and open to the public, but guests are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to benefit the Hunger Task Force.
Attendees will receive a free square or slice of Palermo’s Pizza when they vote and local mascots including Bango of the Milwaukee Bucks, The Klement’s Italian Racing Sausage, Bucky Badger and Roscoe from the Milwaukee Admirals will be on hand to take photos.
The Pius XI High school band will perform and guests will also have a chance to win prizes.
The Palermo’s Campaign will make 70 stops throughout the summer and early fall including stops at Festa Italiana, and the Wisconsin State Fair. Continuing throughout the summer and early fall, both candidates will make 70 campaign stops across other states and popular Milwaukee destinations including Festa Italiana and the Wisconsin State Fair. Voters can view the status of the campaign at www.SquareVsSlice.com. A winner will be named in early November.

Cascio Interstate Music will feature 66 local and original bands on its stage during the 11-day Summerfest festival.
"For over 40 years, Summerfest has made a point of showcasing great artists and their music," said Michael Houser, chief executive officer of New Berlin-based Cascio Interstate Music. "This year, Cascio Interstate Music is again proud to provide opportunity at our exclusively local and original stage for Milwaukee plus other Wisconsin and regional-area bands with the perfect venue to display their outstanding talents.”
Shepherd Express and WMSE Radio 91.7 will co-present the musicians on stage.
The Cascio GrooveStage is located between the Harley Davidson and Briggs and Stratton Stages, and will feature many genres of music including indie, alternative, hard rock, funk and Americana.
For more information and a complete lineup of local artists to play at the GrooveStage, visit www.interstatemusic.com/summerfest.

Will Allen, CEO of Glendale-based Growing Power was once again invited to the White House, this time as a guest at a dinner to honor the official state visit of the president of Mexico. The dinner was held on Wednesday, May 19.
"It is an absolute honor to be invited by the president and Mrs. Obama to such a prestigious and important event," Allen said. "It will give me an opportunity to continue building important relationships that will help drive our Good Food Revolution.”
Allen recently received an honorary doctorate of fine arts from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and gave the commencement speech to 140 graduates of the institute.

Photo courtesy of MIAD

Summerfest announces special ticket offers
Summerfest has partnered with local organizations including the Milwaukee Brewers, Harley-Davidson Museum and Cost Cutters to provide discounted and bundled ticket opportunities for Summerfest attendees.
The Milwaukee Brewers 2-for-$25 package allows fans to get a terrace reserved tickets to the Brewers vs Giants series in July, a Summerfest general admission ticket and a special edition Brewers Summerfest t-shirt. Visit www.brewers.com/summerfest to order.
The Harley-Davidson Museum Rock-N-Roll 2-for-$20 ticket package will include one Summerfest general admission ticket, good any time during Summerfest and one adult admission ticket to the Harley-Davidson Mueseum good through December 31, 2010. Visit www.summerfest.com to purchase.
Guests can also take advantage of the Cost Cutters Family Hair Salon Ticket officer by spending $30 or more at any participating Milwaukee area Cost Cutters to receive one free Summerfest general admission ticket while supplies last.
Summerfest 2010 will take place Thursday, June 24 through Sunday, July 4 from noon until midnight daily. 


Music on the Monument lineup announced
Downtown Racine Corporation has announced the line-up for the 2010 season of Music on the Monument, the city’s free outdoor music series which takes place every Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Racine-based Plumb Gold Ltd. will sponsor the series. 
“This is Plumb Gold Ltd.'s way of saying thank you to Racine and neighboring communities for supporting our beautiful downtown,” said Judy Olsen, president and founder of Plumb Gold Ltd., “Downtown is the heart of Racine and we have seen tremendous growth in the past 34 years.  We want to help keep the momentum going!” 
Scheduled to perform this summer are:

• June 4 – James Yorgan Sextet
• June 11 – The Kal Bergendahl Project
• June 18 – Roy Edwards Group Therapy Band
• June 25 – Night Wing
• July 2 – The Air Force Band of Mid-America Hot Brass
• July 9 – Lake Effect
• July 16 – Razor’s Edge
• July 23 – Final Approach
• July 30 – Saved by Grace
• August 6 – Mean Jake
• August 13 – Road Less Traveled
• August 20 -- Zicomatic
• August 27 – Brian Daniels and the Barrel Boys

 
Making the most of social media
The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, in partnership with Milwaukee-based Comet Branding and PR, will host Making the Most of Social Media, on Friday, May 26. The event will give business owners a new set of tools to market, promote and grow their brands.
It will be held at the Manpower headquarters in downtown Milwaukee, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Al Krueger and Sara Meaney of Comet Branding will provide an overview of the social media tools available to businesses and describe how they can be used in specific ways to benefit business. Attendees should walk away with a better understanding of the latest online platforms, including Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and blogs, and how they can be applied to your organization. The event will also address MMAC’s new social media initiatives that will increase the ability to get in contact with the organization.
Cost to attend is $12 for members and $20 for nonmembers. To register visit www.mmac.org/socialmedia.
Tweet or follow the official event hashtag #MMACsm.
   
Career development conference targets young professionals
The Milwaukee Urban League Young Professionals will host Milwaukee’s first conference geared towards young business executives.
The conference will offer a series of workshops and initiatives that focus on personal, professional and career development on Saturday, June 12 at Cardinal Stritch University from 8a.m. to 2 p.m. 
 “(Milwaukee Urban League Young Professionals) is responding to the needs of today’s young professionals. Most are either facing increased responsibilities and challenges at work due to company downsizing and hiring freezes, or they’re in the job market,” said Richard Badger, president of the Milwaukee Urban League Young Professionals. “We’re offering a low?cost, yet high quality conference that would help young professionals of various levels advance in their professional tracks and careers.”
Cost to attend is $10, and is suited for a range of professionals from entry level to upper management.
The event will feature 12 workshops and presentations led by Milwaukee-area experts and will cover topics like business etiquette, leading effective meetings, starting your own business, personal marketing.
A CEO roundtable discussion and a Resource Center will also be available to present information on job openings, and conduct resume reviews and mock interviews.
For more information on the event, scheduled speakers, and workshops, or to register visit www.tmulyp.org.

BizTimes launches 2010 Technology Directory
BizTimes Milwaukee is now accepting submissions to the second annual Technology Directory. This directory features metropolitan Milwaukee companies that offer products and services to assist in implementing cost-effective technology solutions for businesses. Companies listed in the directory offer the following products and services web hosting, web development, software development or integration, hardware, internet service and IT support. The 2010 BizTimes Technology Directory deadline is Monday, June 14. To submit your organization, go to www.biztimes.com/tech.  

In commemoration of the company’s 30-year history, Milwaukee-based Midland Video Productions has launched a company blog that features a series of videos and outtakes from the production company’s archives. This week, Midland relives footage from an interview with an allergy specialist that turned out to be more useful than they would know. Check out this week’s blog here

Dear Harry:
What are the latest and greatest examples of internet strategies that business-to-business companies can use to generate new business and clients? Do you have any examples of some effective company websites or e-newsletters?
Read BizTimes columnist Harry Dennis’ answer and ask your own questions here

The Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America will present the 2010 Paragon Awards at a ceremony at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Bradley Pavilion, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The ceremony will be hosted by journalists Jim Stingl and Crocker Stephenson.
The Paragon Awards were created in 1983 and are given annually to honor
local companies and individuals that exemplify excellence in communications. The awards recognize outstanding work in the area of
public relations, honor creative and strategic superiority and encourage a higher level of performance among public relations professionals.
From the pool of 95 submissions, the PRSA will present 20 awards of excellence, 28 awards of merit and one award for best in show.
In addition, organization has selected two outstanding industry leaders to receive awards for individual public relations achievements. These awards will be given to Rich Meeusen, CEO of Badger Meter, and Carolyn Bellin, APR, chief public relations officer of Froedtert Hospital, in recognition of the tremendous skill and commitment both have shown as advocates for their organizations in the Milwaukee region.
"Both honorees have made significant strides in advancing the success of their companies and in making Milwaukee a better place to live and do business," said Mary Scheibel, APR, PRSA president and principal owner of Scheibel Halaska.
Live updates from the Paragon Awards and the latest news can be found on Twitter by following #paragonawards, or @prsawis.

Building & Construction
Nations Roof North, LLC, Waukesha, has hired Tom Boritzke as a roofing estimator. Boritzke has more than 30 years of local roofing experience and has served three years as director of the MRCA board of directors.
 
Education
Carroll University, Waukesha, has added Joe Baker, as its first full-time athletic director and Becca Saal, as its head women’s volleyball coach and recreation director. Baker was formerly athletic director at UW-LaCrosse for the last 12 years. Saal was previously head women’s volleyball coach and exercise science professor at Ripon College, in Ripon Wisconsin. 
The Mount Mary College Alumnae Association recently recognized Marita Pietrykowski and Mary Moran Moze its 2010 Madonna Medal Award recipients. The Madonna Medal Award is bestowed annually to alumnae who excel in professional achievement, service to the community or service to the College.

Health Care
Dr. Arthur Derse, will assume responsibilities as director of the new Medical College of Wisconsin's Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities.  The new center combines the College's existing Center for the Study of Bioethics with its Medical Humanities Program.  The Center will be part of the College's Institute for Community, Population and Public Health.

“The meltdown may have been avoided, but the commercial real estate market is far from healthy. The peak of the market in 2007 saw $557 billion dollars in transactions completed in the United States. This was followed by the bust and a staggering drop in volume to only $54 billion dollars of transactions completed in 2009.”
~Jeff Hoffman, vice president of Judson & Associates, S.C., a Pewaukee-based commercial real estate firm, and he is acting president of the Independent Business Association (IBA) of Wisconsin.
Read the full Milwaukee BizBlog: Is the next shoe ready to drop on Commercial Real Estate?

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. “Mojo,” by Marshall Goldsmith, Mark Reiter
2. “Switch,” by Chip Heath, Dan Heath
3. “Return of the Gold,” by Dan Bickley
4. “Instant Wealth Wake Up Rich!,” by Christopher Howard
5. “Linchpin,” by Seth Godin, Jessica Hagy, Hugh MacLeod

Courtesy of 800 CEO Read

• Thursday, May 20 Creativity Works!, the Milwaukee Regional Creativity Economy Project, will host a creative networking event at CLEAR in the Intercontinental Hotel, 139 E. Kilbourn Ave., from 5 to 7 p.m. Cost to attend is $5 in advance or $10 at the door. Appetizers and cash bar will be available. To register visit the Creativity Works! website
• Friday, May 21 The professional association of design (AIGA) will host Design to the Rescue: Moving the masses one design at a time at Discovery World Pier Wisconsin, 500 N. Harbor Drive from 6 to 10 p.m. Michael Lejeune, creative director for the in-house agency of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority will be the guest attendee at the event. The event will focus on how Lejeune and his team were able to change the way people thought about mass transit possibilities through design. All attendees are eligible for a variety of door prizes. Cost to attend is $15 for AIGA student members, $20 for AIGA members and $40 for nonmembers. All ticket prices increase $10 at the door. To register click here
• Friday. May 21 The Milwaukee Art Museum will host its MAM after Dark: Comfort event from 5 p.m. until midnight. MAM After Dark is Milwaukee’s premier after-hours art and social event, with opportunities to see the exhibitions, the Photo Booth, the DIY Studio, music, food, cocktails and special theme-related programming. Admission is $12 at the door or $6 plus fees  in advance admission at www.mam.org/afterdark or free for Museum Members.
• Friday, May 21 The Independent Business Association will welcome local entrepreneur Jim Lindenberg at its 2010 annual meeting at the Wisconsin Club, 900 W. Wisconsin Ave., from 7 to 9:30 a.m. To register to attend the meeting visit the IBA Wisconsin website
• Tuesday, June 8 Marquette University High School, 3306 W. Michigan St., will host the Milwaukee Inventors’ Forum beginning at 5:30 p.m. A panel of Milwaukee experts representing businesses of all sizes will come together to discuss international sourcing issues and other topics including letters of credit, international patent protection, quality control and delivery, and contact enforcement issues. The forum is free to attend, for more information visit www.milwaukeepatents.com/inventors.html
• Monday, June 21 Wisconsin Lutheran High School will host its 20th annual Friends of Wisco Golf Outing at Evergreen Golf Club in Elkhorn. Proceeds from the outing will go towards the purchase of 14-passenger vans for the high school Registration is limited and will be booked on a first come basis. For more information or to register visit www.wlhs.org and click on the golf outing link.
• Thursday, June 10 Cardinal Stritch University will host its annual Summer Festival at the Joan Steele Stein Center for Communication Studies and Fine Arts on the Cardinal Stritch campus, 6801 N. Yates Road, from 5 until 8 p.m. Celebrate the beginning of summer with the University. All proceeds from the event go to benefit the art department and art scholarships. The event will feature wine tastings, student and faculty art sale, and live music. Cost to attend is $20. To register or for more information visit: www.stritch.edu/summerfestival or call (414) 410-4939.
• Friday, June 11 The Women Business Owners of Milwaukee will sponsor a business building workshop with national speakers Raymond Reese and Brian Tracy at Hotel Metro in downtown Milwaukee from 7 to 9 a.m. The seminar topic is entitled, Would you like to double your business without working twice as hard. Cost to attend is $20. To register, email Cheryl Muskus at cmuskus@muskusmgmt.com or register online here.
• Wednesday, July 21 The Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce will host its annual BIG One Golf Outing at Ironwood Golf Course in Sussex. Registration is now open, for more information visit www.waukesha.org
• Monday, July 26 Clement Manor will host its 10th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic at the Wisconsin Country Club, 6200 W. Good Hope Rd. Participation in the outing will support Alzheimer’s and dementia care programs and services for Clement Manor residents, families, staff and community. Those interested can choose to play in the outing, become a sponsor, provide auction items, or make cash donations. To register, visit www.clementmanor.com. For questions or for further information, please call Maria Watson at 414-546-7351 or email development@clementmanor.com.

• African American Chamber of Commerce Milwaukee
• American Marketing Association-Milwaukee Chapter
• Business Marketing Association-Milwaukee
• Conservative Young Professionals of Milwaukee
• Executive Women International-Milwaukee Chapter
• FUEL Milwaukee
• Grandville-Brown Deer Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Brookfield Chamber of Commerce
• Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce
• Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC)
• National Association of Women Business Owners
• Professional Dimensions
• Public Relations Society of America - Wisconsin Chapter,
• South Suburban Chamber of Commerce
• Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce
• Tempo Waukesha
• Tempo Milwaukee
• Tempo Washington County
• Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce
• Waukesha Young Professionals
• Wisconsin Better Business Bureau
• YP Impact