Wisconsin continues to have one more day in the limelight as the center of the political universe today, as presidential candidates again fanned out across the state, trying to rally their supporters for Tuesday's hotly contested primary.
Republican frontrunner Sen. John McCain flew to the William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas, where he received the endorsement of former President George H.W. Bush this morning. McCain planned to fly back to Wisconsin, where he is scheduled to speak at the Outagamie County Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner in Appleton at 5:30 p.m.
McCain's challenger, Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, planned stops today in Hudson (8 a.m.), Eau Claire (11 a.m.) and Appleton (3 p.m.).
Democratic frontrunner Sen. Barack Obama's campaign scheduled three appearances for his wife, Michelle: in Milwaukee at the Pabst Theater (11:50 a.m.); in Madison (3:15 p.m.) and in La Crosse (6:15 p.m.). Barack Obama is scheduled to appear at a "Stand for Change" rally in Beloit at 8 p.m.
Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton kicked the day off with a town hall meeting in De Pere this morning (9:30 a.m.), and then scheduled appearances in Wausau (1:15 p.m.) and Madison (8:30 p.m.). Her daughter, Chelsea, is scheduled to speak in Beloit at 1:30 p.m.
For complete coverage of the Wisconsin primary, visit WisPolitics.com, a media partner of Small Business Times.

Quality Computer Service Inc. of Shorewood is growing by acquiring three other local computer and printer repair companies.
The firm has acquired the client lists of Laser Graphics LLC of Milwaukee and D& M Office Supply of Waukesha, QCS owner and service manager Curt Bach said today.
QCS also plans to acquire CompuGeek of Brookfield later this month, Bach said
QCS repairs computers and printers and is one of the leading local distributors of remanufactured and new toners and ink-jet cartridges.
In a letter to customers, Laser Graphics president Greg Conard said, "After 19 years in business, this understandably a bittersweet time for us at Laser Graphics. However, I will be staying on with QCS as a consultant, assisting with their transition to our customer base. I stand ready in the coming months to be of service to you any way I can."
QCS has eight employees and is located at 4433 N. Oakland Ave.

Small Business Times is accepting nominations for its annual IQ Awards program, which celebrates innovations in business.
The "Innovation Quotient" program honors southeastern Wisconsin businesses that have created innovative products, services or business processes.
The contest will be judged by the editorial staff of Small Business Times, which will consider how clever, innovative and unique the nominated product, service or process is. The nominated companies must be based in Wisconsin and have a physical presence in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, Sheboygan, Racine, Walworth or Kenosha County.
Self-nominations are encouraged. Winners in previous years can re-apply if they have new innovations. Nominations are due March 1.
The winners will be profiled in a special edition of Small Business Times and will receive their honors at the IQ Awards Luncheon during the fourth annual Small Business Times BizTech Expo at Wisconsin State Fair Park, April 30-May 1.
To nominate a company for an IQ Award, fill out form online at www.biztimes.com/iqawardsform.

The subprime mortgage industry collapse has not slowed down Mortgagebot LLC, the Mequon-based provider consumer-direct online and enterprise-wide point-of-sale mortgage-origination solutions, which posted a record year in 2007.
The company today reported a record number of clients, record volume of its Mortgagebot PowerSite solution and record market penetration among commercial banks, savings institutions and credit unions.
Mortgagebot said its "same-store" mortgage originations were up an average of 22 percent.
"Research into consumer shopping patterns continues to verify that the online mortgage channel has truly arrived," said Scott Happ, Mortgagebot president and chief executive officer. "Interest rates are at near-record lows, and people continue to shop for low mortgage rates. One leading research firm reports that more than 70 percent of all consumers who shop for mortgage loans begin their search online."
Mortgagebot's client base grew 20 percent in 2007.
"The fact that banks, savings institutions, and credit unions are implementing our technology at such a record pace means they understand how vital it is in 2008 to meet their borrowers online," Happ said. "These lenders realize that the market has changed; and to be competitive, they must wholeheartedly embrace the online mortgage-origination channel."
"Of our new partners in 2007, nearly 80 percent of them were commercial banks - and 15 percent of those banks have more than $5 billion in assets," said Dan Welbaum, Mortgagebot's chief marketing officer. "Credit unions often implement new technology to be competitive, and the primary business of many savings institutions is mortgage lending - so it's not surprising that we count hundreds of those organizations among our Partners."

"Sphere Madness" has been chosen by the Downtown Racine Corp. as the name for its 2008 Public Art Event.
Seventy-five spheres, decorated by highly-talented local and regional artists, will be on display throughout downtown Racine from early June through Labor Day. In September, they will be auctioned to the highest bidders.
More than 300 entries were submitted in the name the event contest. The winning name was submitted by Lauren DeMorrow of Racine, who will receive a $50 downtown gift certificate.
"Downtown is on a roll," said Terry Leopold, director of special events for the Downtown Racine Corp. "We are excited for everyone to visit downtown this summer and take a look around. Sphere's where it's happening!”
This is the seventh year of public art in downtown Racine. For additional information, visit www.racinedowntown.com.

The state has launched the Wisconsin Waterfront Initiative Website (http://commerce.wi.gov/wisconsinwaterfront) to provide information and assistance for communities interested in improving their waterfronts.
Under Gov. Jim Doyle's initiative, communities can go to the site to marshal resources on funding and learn about successful Wisconsin waterfront projects. The best practices section of the site offers a step-by-step guide for the development of a waterfront revitalization project and includes advice on building community-wide support.
"Wisconsin's rivers, lakes and streams are among our greatest assets. Revitalizing our waterfronts helps build strong local economies by attracting new business, raising land values, and drawing locals and tourists to a community," Doyle said. "The Wisconsin Waterfront initiative will help communities protect and develop their waterfronts so they can be enjoyed by all for many years to come."

Jim Golembeski, the executive director of the Bay Area Workforce Development Board, says there is a shortage of trained workers for many jobs in the Green Bay area. Read more in SBT's daily roundup of headlines from newspapers across the state at www.biztimes.com.

B-2-B companies need to think positively during a recession, according to Phil Vollrath, author of today's Milwaukee Biz Blog.

The BizTimes Stock Index dipped .21 points to close at 150.77 Friday, and the stock market was closed today in observance of Presidents Day. The BizTimes Stock Index was created by Small Business Times and is monitored by North Shore Bank. The index, which measures the stock values of publicly held companies based in southeastern Wisconsin, is updated daily and can be viewed at www.biztimes.com.