A bill authored by Rep. Leon D. Young (D-Milwaukee) that would allow concertgoers of popular Milwaukee events such as Jazz in the Park and River Rhythms to legally carry-in beverage has been approved by the State Assembly.
Current state law makes the practice of carrying beverages illegal because the festival organizers hold Class B liquor licenses. The new legislation would give festival organizers the authority to create their own carry-in beverage policies.
Prior to this season, organizers of Jazz in the Park had allowed patrons to carry in their own alcoholic beverages without incident. However, The East Town Association was recently notified that this practice was illegal. In addition, it the Milwaukee Police Department has not been clear on whether it will enforce the law.
"Jazz in the Park and River Rhythms are fantastic events that bring our community together," Young said. "The confusion surrounding carry-in beverages is unfortunate, and I applaud my colleagues on taking the necessary step to rectify it."
The legislation would create and exemption for Jazz in the Park and any other events and festivals if the licenses premises are in a park within a first class city.
"Organizers of our many popular festivals here in Milwaukee know what works for their events," Young said. "Their careful and thoughtful planning allowed these events to continue incident free for years.  We should allow them to decide whether patrons can carry-in alcoholic beverages."

Neenah-based Outlook Group Corp. today announced the appointment of Glen Yurjevich as chief executive officer.
Yurjevich succeeds Cal Aurand, chairman of Outlook Group's board of directors, who was serving as interim CEO.  Aurand will continue in his role as chairman.
Yurjevich most recently served as interim president of Oshkosh-based Whitefield Industrial Coatings, an industrial coating and paint company. His background also includes 10 years as president and chief executive officer of Ripon-based Creative Forming, a thermoformer and extruder specializing in rigid packaging, and more than 25 years of experience with Shade Allied Inc. in Green Bay.
"Glen is a seasoned leader with proven experience in improving organizational efficiency and profitability, streamlining company operating systems and successfully executing long-term, sustainable growth strategies. His broad-based experience will be an asset to Outlook Group as we continue to move forward with our growth strategies. We are pleased to welcome Glen to Outlook Group," Aurand said.
Yurjevich is a graduate of St. Norbert College in De Pere. He currently serves on the board of directors of Great Lakes Calcium Corp. and Whitefield Industrial Coatings. Yurjevich resides in Oshkosh.
Outlook Group is a leading packaging, direct marketing and printing company.

The Hartford Area Development Corp. (HADC) announced the selection of Patrice Hoeschele as executive director.
"After 30 years of long distance commuting, I'm excited to contribute and further develop the business and industrial platform in this thriving community," Hoeschele said, referring to the corporation's motto, "Live Where You Work."
"My sons were raised here, and I'm looking forward to encouraging entrepreneurs to join into the truly unique experience we've created in Hartford with our exemplary school system, beautiful parks, and a thriving local business environment," she said.
Hoeschele is joining the HADC at a critical juncture in its history. After the recent acquisition of land east of the Dodge County Industrial Park, the organization is looking to aggressively open up building opportunities for aspiring industry leaders.
HADC president Gary Wendorff, of Steel Craft Corp. noted the enthusiasm of the HADC board over Hoeschele's drive to support the existing industrial base while bringing new business into the area.
Hoeschele is certified to conduct ISO 9000 audits (CQA) and is a certified senior human resources professional (SPHR), meaning she can provide additional consultative support to HADC member firms.

Milwaukee-based Hal Leonard Corp. has purchased Shawnee Press Inc., one of the premier publishers of choral and instrumental music.
Shawnee is based in Nashville and since 1989 had been operating as an independent subsidiary of Music Sales Corp., the U.S. publishing arm of the Music Sales Group.
The acquisition was announced by Hal Leonard chairman and chief executive officer Keith Mardak, and Robert Wise, chairman and managing director of the Music Sales Group.
The history of Shawnee Press dates back to the late 1930s, when bandleader and choral master Fred Waring and some of his friends from their famous singing group The Pennsylvanians formed the music publishing company Words and Music Inc. in New York. As the group's radio popularity grew, choir directors began requesting copies of Waring's unique arrangements. The first choral arrangement became available in 1939.
Mardak said, "The Shawnee name is synonymous with quality. The addition of these publications and their formidable stable of writers will serve as a perfect complement to our current choral operations."

An exposition center is on its way to the Cedar Creek Mall in Wausau. Mall owner Tom Timblin said the facility could be completed in October and could be up to 60,000 square feet in size. Read more in BizTimes Milwaukee's daily roundup of headlines from newspapers across the state at www.biztimes.com/#news.

The stock market was poised to glide into the summer weekend today, rising slightly into positive territory for the second consecutive day. The largest local gainers in the BizTimes Stock Index this morning were Bucyrus International Inc. (up $1.02 to $28.46), Joy Global Inc. (up 96 cents to $37.10) and Koss Corp. (up 84 cents to $13.00). The largest local decliners this morning were Wisconsin Energy Corp. (down 12 cents to $40.41) and Brady Corp. (down 5 cents to $24.56).

In a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story today, Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn admitted to having an affair with journalist Jessica McBride. Should such an affair be just cause for the police chief's dismissal? Cast your vote and view the results so far in today's BizTimes Poll at www.biztimes.com.

Now is the time for leaders in Milwaukee County to seize the moment and join with partners in Racine and Kenosha to develop a regional mass transit system, according to state Rep. Josh Zepnick, author of today's Milwaukee Biz Blog.

Milwaukee Alderman Robert Bauman today denounced the state Senate's insertion of a $3.75 million grant in the state budget to help cover the proposed development of a new Drexel Avenue interchange on Interstate 94 in Oak Creek.
Despite the fact that the state Department of Transportation deemed the proposed Drexel interchange unneeded and a threat to older commercial areas in the City of Milwaukee, the Senate's adopted state budget includes a DOT grant to help push the project to fruition, Bauman said.
Bauman, chair of the Milwaukee Common Council's Public Works Committee, said the grant essentially nullifies the will of Oak Creek officials and citizens, many of whom have opposed the interchange.
"The Senate's budget generosity shouldn't stop at the Oak Creek doorstep – I'm asking that it be extended to include funding the local share of KRM (Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail project), in my opinion a true transportation improvement that will actually benefit a much larger portion of our population," Bauman said.
The Drexel interchange had originally been a part of the $1.9 billion reconstruction and expansion of I-94 from Milwaukee to the Illinois border. However, Oak Creek officials have so far declined to commit to paying the 25 percent local share for the $15.2 million project.
The Oak Creek City Council will meet on Monday, June 29, to reconsider the Drexel interchange.
Final action on the proposed 2009-2011 state budget is expected in the next few weeks, as Doyle has said he wants to sign a final version by July 1.
"I'll be waiting for the amendment to include DOT funding for the local share of the KRM," Bauman said.