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Friday, April 19, 2013
Campaign to benefit Ronald McDonald expansion
April 19, 2013 10:00 AM
Northwestern Mutual and the Brewers Community Foundation are building community support around a collaborative campaign, “Stolen Bases, Happy Faces,” that aims to benefit families facing childhood cancer and other illnesses.
The campaign, launched at the start of the 2013 major league baseball season, will donate $1,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities Eastern Wisconsin each time the Milwaukee Brewers manage to steal a base during home games at Miller Park.

Funds will assist with expansion of services at the nonprofit organization, which provides housing and support services for families travelling to greater Milwaukee to access medical treatment for their children.

"With the help of the Brewers Community Foundation, Northwestern Mutual hopes to make our town as nurturing as possible for the children and families seeking medical care in the Milwaukee area," said John Kordsmeier, president of Northwestern Mutual Foundation. "We're pleased 'Stolen Bases, Happy Faces' will help support our local home away from home for families who need it."

The campaign aligns with Northwestern Mutual's Childhood Cancer Program, established last year as a vehicle to drive awareness around childhood cancer and increase funding for the fight against it. The campaign also falls in line with the Brewers Community Foundation's emphasis on programming for kids and families.

This particular campaign is the third team effort between Northwestern Mutual and the Brewers Community Foundation.

"My teammates and I are thrilled to rally around this program and help support children and families who are going through a tough time," said Carlos Gomez, centerfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. "Working together, we can raise awareness of the fight against pediatric cancer and offer hope for a cancer-free future."

Ronald McDonald House Charities Eastern Wisconsin, located at 8948 Watertown Plank Rd. in Wauwatosa, currently has 38 guest rooms for families and often must create waiting lists for families it cannot immediately accommodate.

"Last year we turned away over 600 families because of space constraints," said Ann Petrie, chief executive officer of the nonprofit. "These funds will support our expansion with a new study room, enabling us to realize our goal of not having to turn away families in need."

A broader expansion initiative at Ronald McDonald House will nearly double the size of the current building. The $10 million construction project will likely be completed in summer 2014.

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MAM appoints curator of European Art
April 19, 2013 10:00 AM
The Milwaukee Art Museum will welcome Tanya Paul this June to serve as the Isabel and Alfred Bader Curator of European Art, a position now funded by longtime museum advocates Alfred and Isabel Bader.
 
Paul, who was selected through a national search process, has been a curator of European Art at the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa, Okla., for about four years.

She will bring additional experience to her new role from the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas; the University of Virginia Art Museum, now known as the Fralin Museum of Art; and the J. Paul Getty Museum, located in Los Angeles and Malibu, Calif.

Among Paul’s most recognized exhibits is “Elegance and Refinement: The Still-Life Painting of Willem van Aelst,” a collection she assembled while working for the Museum of Fine Arts and one that was inspired by her 2008 dissertation on the Dutch artist. The exhibit gained national attention when it was brought to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and also highlighted in the New York Times and the Washington Post.

 “Tanya Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this new position at the museum,” said Brady Roberts, chief curator for the Milwaukee Art Museum. “Her expertise in Dutch still life paintings, as well as her expertise in European printmaking, makes her a tremendous asset as we begin our reinstallation process. I look forward to working with Tanya as we move forward.”

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Zappos CEO to headline final day of Young Professional Week in Milwaukee
April 19, 2013 10:00 AM
The Milwaukee-based nonprofit young professional network NEWaukee is in the midst of its second annual Young Professional Week. On Sunday, Zappos.com CEO Tony Hseih will be the event’s headline speaker at a sold out brunch event at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Milwaukee.
 
“I think we’re going to hit 5,000 people for the week. That’s where we’re at for RSVPs. More people have been showing up than have RSVP-ed for events so far,” said Angela Damiani, executive director of ART Milwaukee, NEWaukee’s partner organization. “We’re really excited about what’s being presented.”

Each day is presented with a different focus. “Sustainability in a Modern City,” “The Silicon Valley of Water,” and “Women in Leadership” were Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday’s topics, respectively. The rest of the week’s topics include “Innovation in Milwaukee” (Thursday), “Building a Creative Class Economy” (Friday), “Earth Day” (Saturday), and “Talent Retention & Community Engagement” (Sunday). 

Events for this week’s eight-day conference have been taking place in various locations around the city, including Milwaukee City Hall, Rockwell Automation, the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Pfister Hotel and many more. 

Corporate leaders are active participants in many of the events, including executives from Kohl’s, Rockwell Automation, Badger Meter, ManpowerGroup, MillerCoors and more. 

Attendees have been encouraged to participate on social media, especially through using the #YPweek hashtag on Twitter.

A collection of many of the thoughts and photos people have been sharing on Twitter throughout the week, including a few from BizTimes reporters who have attended the events, can be found in our Storify here.

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Kohl's Captivation Station to engage families at Summerfest
April 19, 2013 10:00 AM
Families will once again be able to take part in hands-on arts, music, design, theater and education programs at Summerfest with the return of Kohl's Captivation Station.
 
The captivation station, made possible by Summerfest's partnership with Kohl's Department Stores through its Kohl's Cares philanthropic program, features art and music experiences, mini-clinics and educational demonstrations tailored toward kids each day of the festival.

With support from the Milwaukee Art Museum and Discovery World, the station will give kids a chance to creatively explore art and design through a hands-on mobile art experience and a Kohl's Design It! Mobile Lab.

Kohl's Wild Theater will add to the station's educational programming with conservation-themed theater shows.

A new element to this year's programming will bring the Disney Live Tour and a Disney Channel celebrity to the station at Summerfest on Friday, June 28.

"Kohl's is proud to partner with Summerfest to once again offer interactive learning opportunities for children and families who attend the festival with Kohl's Captivation Station," said Kevin Mansell, Kohl's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Kohl's has long been committed to supporting children's educational initiatives in communities nationwide, and we are excited to continue this dynamic educational program right here in our hometown of Milwaukee."

Additional entertainers set to perform at the station include magicians, Radio Disney Road Crew, Mad Science, Comedysportz comedians, and Figureheads.

The Penfield Children’s Center, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit organization that serves children with and without disabilities through educational programming and therapy, will also join Kohl’s at the station to offer families supplementary information and activities.

In its third year at Summerfest, Kohl's Captivation Stage will be based on the south end of Henry Maier Festival Park and will operate from noon to 7 p.m. June 26-30 and July 2-7.

Kohl's will also bring back Kohl's Family Day to Summerfest on Sunday, June 30, from noon to 3 p.m. One free Summerfest admission ticket will be granted to the first 2,500 festivalgoers who bring three nonperishable food items to be donated to Hunger Task Force.

For a full lineup of entertainers at Summerfest 2013 and information about tickets, visit www.summerfest.com.

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Baird to honor Jennings for community work
April 19, 2013 10:00 AM
Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. announced it will present the Baird Community Involved Player of the Year Award to Brandon Jennings, point guard with the Milwaukee Bucks.
 
Steve Booth, chief operating officer for Milwaukee-based Baird, will present the award to Jennings at the Wisconsin Sports Awards. The second annual event, which was created to celebrate excellence in high school, college and professional sports in the state, will be held Thursday at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee.

Baird said it selected Jennings because he demonstrates his commitment to the community by actively supporting a wide variety of causes and by regularly participating in charitable events throughout the area. One organization Jennings supports is The House of Peace, which serves individuals and families in Milwaukee’s Central City.

“Brandon has been a passionate supporter of The House of Peace, and we are so grateful he has chosen us as his charity of choice,” said Gerri Sheets-Howard, executive director of The House of Peace. “This donation will help us provide essential care to impoverished individuals and families in our community. It comes at a much needed time. We need to build up our food pantry for the coming summer months. Our need becomes greater when the children are out of school.”

Other causes Jennings helps support include Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee, Special Olympics Wisconsin and Autism Speaks.

“Baird is pleased to recognize Brandon Jennings and all that he does to make a difference in our community,” Booth said. “This award aligns extremely well with Baird’s culture and our long-standing tradition of giving back to the communities in which our associates live and work, and helping and encouraging others to do the same.”

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Seeds Milwaukee program recruits retail business plans
April 19, 2013 10:00 AM
Seeds Milwaukee Corp., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, announced the commencement of its 2013 Retail Business Plan Competition.
 
The contest will provide start-up operating capital, in-kind business services and mentoring by the Milwaukee business community to a select retail business that will operate in one of Milwaukee’s economically disadvantaged communities. The winner will be selected primarily by public voting at a live event to be held in September.

Seeds Milwaukee was organized to support start-up retail businesses in Milwaukee’s lesser developed neighborhoods. Successful retail businesses will serve to attract foot traffic and consumer dollars to these areas, which in turn will foster an environment for additional businesses to take root. The spread of these businesses, and increased consumer patronage, should positively contribute to the economic development of these communities.

Entrepreneurs are invited to submit a retail business plan summary of 250 words or less by email to submissions@seedsmilwaukee.com. The deadline for submissions is June 23. The business plan summary must provide for a retail business that will operate in and sell goods or services within the neighborhoods specified on Seeds Milwaukee’s website.

The competition’s complete rules and requirements are available on the organization’s website.

The winner will be provided a start-up business support package, which Seeds Milwaukee hopes will include $50,000 of start-up operating capital, in-kind accounting, legal, IT and design services, and ongoing mentoring by members of the Milwaukee business community.

For more information, contact Nate Neuberger at (414) 286-1071 or Nate@seedsmilwaukee.com.

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Nonprofit Calendar
April 19, 2013 10:00 AM

*Friday, April 19, ArtWorks for Milwaukee will take part in the Historic Third Ward’s Spring Gallery Night and Day, a two-day event highlighting artwork at more than 50 venues and offering tours of Milwaukee’s art scene. At ArtWorks for Milwaukee, projects created from the 2013 spring internship program, “I See You,” will be on display. The event will also include artwork for sale along with music and refreshments. All sale proceeds will support the continuation of 2013 ArtWorks internship programs for underprivileged teens. The exhibit and fundraiser will run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the nonprofit’s offices, located inside Bucketworks at 706 S. 5th St. in Milwaukee. For more information, visit www.artworksformilwaukee.org.

*Saturday, April 20, the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau will hold “ShredFest” at which businesses, organizations and individuals can shred old documents for free to help prevent the threat of identity theft. The event will take place at the Layton State Bank West Allis branch, 10427 W. Lincoln Ave., from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Participants are limited to three boxes per car. Event sponsors include Layton State Bank and Proshred Security. Other shredding events will be held in Green Bay and Madison. For more information, visit www.wisconsin.bbb.org/shredfest.  

*Saturday, April 20, the “Stuff the Truck for Independence” will collect electronic items to be donated to IndependenceFirst, a United Way nonprofit organization serving individuals with disabilities in greater Milwaukee. The eWaste drive, sponsored by AT&T, its affiliates and River Run Computers, will benefit IndependenceFirst’s Computer Recycling Program. Electronics in working and non-working condition can be dropped off. Items that will be accepted include anything with a plug or a battery – computers, laptops, cell phones, tablets, appliances, televisions, computer accessories, etc. Computers will be reused, and other donations will be disposed of properly. The drive will take place in the parking lot of the Pettit National Ice Center, 500 S. 84th St. in Milwaukee, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information about the Computer Recycling Program, visit www.independencefirst.org.

*Wednesday, April 24, the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee will present a discussion titled “Let’s Have a Party and Make Lots of Money! Planners Grant Writers Roundtable.” The discussion will touch on ways to effectively fundraise through hosting special events. Discussion leaders will include Dr. Janice Wilberg of Community Planning LLC; Rochelle Fritsch, fund development director of IMPACT; and Janet Peshek, director of community affairs and fund development for La Causa. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, 101 W. Pleasant St. in Milwaukee. Cost to attend is $20 for Nonprofit Center members and Community Development Block Grant agencies and $30 for non-members. Attendees must register in advance. For more information or to register, visit www.nonprofitcentermilwaukee.org.

*Saturday, April 27, the Neighborhood House of Milwaukee will host an Earth Day celebration free and open to the public. The event will include classes and activities such as a neighborhood cleanup, family portraits, a clothing sale, a community rummage sale and more. All activities will be held at the nonprofit organization’s main office, 2819 W. Richardson Pl. in Milwaukee, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. To reserve a table for the rummage sale, call Jerri Washington, financial manager, at 414-933-6161 ext. 163. For more information about the Neighborhood House of Milwaukee, visit nhmilw.wordpress.com.

*Saturday, April 27, St. Aemilian-Lakeside will host Cirque du SAL to raise funds in support of young adults who are aging out of foster care. The event will feature aerial dance, casino games, music, dancing a raffle and more. The event will be held at the Historic Pritzlaff Building, 333 N. Plankinton Ave. in Milwaukee, from 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets cost $75 and can be purchased at www.st-al.org. For more information about Cirque du SAL, contact Sandy Engelhardt at St. Aemilian-Lakeside at 414-465-1396.

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Erica Breunlin BizTimes Bubbler Weekly is compiled by BizTimes Milwaukee reporter Erica Breunlin. This bulletin is published every Thursday morning. Send news tips to erica.breunlin@biztimes.com or call her at (414) 336-7121.

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