NEW SOUTH ENTRANCE, BRIGGS BACKYARD APPROVED FOR SUMMERFEST

CHANGES FOR THE BRIGGS BACK YARD IN STORE

Don Smiley (Right) and his team make a presentation to the Board of Harbor Commissioners



Special to the Readers of Plenty of Horne

By Michael Horne

And The Plenty of Horne Hound Dog Team

The Board of Harbor Commissioners unanimously approved plans by Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., to reconstruct the south gate of Henry W. Maier Festival Park by extending it westerly beneath the Hoan Bridge.

Demolition of the existing gate, used by 20%-30% of festival visitors is already complete, and much of the adjacent Briggs and Stratton Big Back Yard stage lie in ruins after a date with the wrecking ball.
However, according to the lease agreement with the commission, which is the landlord of the Summerfest grounds, the management of Milwaukee World Festivals required the board's permission for construction to commence.

The roof is off of the Briggs and Stratton stage -- and not blown off by recent winds.

The south entrance of Summerfest will now be west of the Hoan Bridge

This is what a Board of Harbor Commissioners looks like. Ald. Bob Bauman didn't attend because it is Budget Amendment Day at City Hall. Craig Mastantuono also skipped the gig because he's trying a federal case in Virginia.

PRESS RELEASE

Here is the press release about the changes at Summerfest.

BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION SIGNS 10-YEAR SPONSORSHIP AND PARTNERS IN STAGE RENOVATION

MILWAUKEE — October 28, 2011 – Summerfest officials are pleased to announce that Briggs & Stratton Corporation has extended its sponsorship of Summerfest and Henry Maier Festival Park for a ten year period.  The new agreement will continue through Summerfest of 2020.  Briggs & Stratton signed its original sponsorship with Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. in 1997 when it assumed the title position of the stage area with Old Style Beer and continued the relationship with a series of subsequent agreements to date. 

As part of this long-term commitment, Briggs & Stratton will partner with Summerfest in a renovation of the stage area footprint, which is part of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.’s two-year, $25 million renovation project, slated for 22-acres at Henry Maier Festival Park.  The renovation project furthers Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.’s focus on quality and strategic plan to continue developing and evolving the world-class festival site. 

“We are very pleased to be continuing our relationship with Briggs & Stratton and appreciate their sponsorship  commitment in this event, festival park and our community,” stated Don Smiley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.  “They share our vision of providing customers with quality and a world-class music experience.”

Along with constructing a new Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard area, including a stage and a new two-story structure, featuring a variety of food and beverage options at ground level with a covered VIP viewing deck on the second floor, the master plan calls for a new South Gate and Box Office, restaurants, walkways, merchandise areas, restrooms, beer stands and other features on the south end of Henry Maier Festival Park. 

The new amenities will not only enhance the Summerfest experience for patrons, but improve the operations and festival grounds for the Ethnic Festivals and others who conduct events at the site. 



“We are pleased to continue our sponsorship of Summerfest and Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.” said Todd Teske, Chairman, President & CEO of Briggs & Stratton Corporation.  “Our long term commitment to the festival only parallels our commitment to the Milwaukee community in bringing world-class entertainment right here in our own backyard.”

Work on the project has already begun with completion of the new Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard along with other elements scheduled in time for the 2011 festival season.  After the 2011 season, the second phase of the renovation project, including other areas within the 22-acre project footprint, will continue and be completed in time for the 45th Anniversary of Summerfest in 2012.

IT CAME FROM MARS: ALTERRA'S TEMPEST IN A COFFEE POT

COFFEE ROASTER'S LICENSE DEAL

WITH CANDY GIANT

BRINGS SOME TO A BOILING POINT

But Arrangement Has Perks for Milwaukee

By Michael Horne

I hope you have the opportunity to jump over to the Milwaukee Magazine News Buzz story published today on the recent worldwide arrangement between Milwaukee's Alterra Coffee Roasters and Mars, Inc., the worldwide candy giant.

Alterra has lent its name and considerable expertise to Mars's worldwide Flavia brand single-serve coffee system, while retaining its distribution rights for Wisconsin and Illinois.

But, judging from comments in the press and on the street -- and even in my story itself, since published -- there is much confusion about the arrangement, which I try to sort out.

DOES GREGG TUSHAUS, MEDICAL SCHOOL CIO SEND BIZ TO HIS FIRM?

School Does Business with its CIO's Firm

By Michael Horne

Milwaukee News Buzz ran a piece today that I wrote about the cozy relationship between Gregg Tushaus, Medical College of Wisconsin VP and CIO and his Tushaus Computer Services firm, which is a preferred supplier of information services to the school. Does this hurt competition and raise costs?

I haven't discovered any similar arrangement in my research.


Here is a link to the story.

REP. MASON HAS FRANK WORDS FOR MILWAUKEE DEMS

 FRANK TALK FOR DEMS AT FUNDRAISER

Rep. Cory Mason in Milwaukee

*   *   *
Larson's Quest Continues as Marathoner Runs Hard Against Empty Suit

Special to the Readers of Plenty of Horne

By Michael Horne

And The Plenty of Horne Hound Dog Team

NOW WITH PHOTOS!

Rep. Cory Mason and his host, Ray Vahey

 A handful of democrats, including such elected officials as Rep. John Richards, Rep. Barbara Toles and state senate candidate Supervisor Chris Larson held a fundraiser Monday, October 4th 2020 in support of the re-election efforts of Racine Rep. Cory Mason.

The event took place at the Astor Hotel residence of the genial Ray Vahey, who provided his guests with a buffet of sandwiches, brownies, wine and punch in a gracious and elegant setting enhanced by considerable artwork by Milwaukeean George Raab.

Among the attendees were such dignitaries as Charlie Dee and Michael Rosen, joined by  JoCasta Zamarripa, the 8th Assembly District candidate who hopes to replace Rep. Pedro Colon in Madison while he gets fitted for his judicial robes.

Before this starts reading like a Boris and Doris column, let it be noted that Mason delivered some insightful remarks about his trips on the campaign trail. He used many of the usual terms -- this is retail politics, we need to do doors, he could use another $15,000 to get out more literature -- and gave some suggestions to other candidates about how to deal with potential voters face-to-face.

Racine has an unemployment rate of 17%, Mason said. While that may be a good thing, since it increases the chance that folks are at home when he calls, Mason said, "I have learned that this is not a time to talk about my legislative accomplishments." The voters don't want to hear it. Instead, Mason suggests candidates talk to voters about their concerns -- and be prepared to hear an earful.
Also, expect Democrats to encourage early voting, which began in Wisconsin that very day. 

Larson, 29, is facing an empty suit in his race to replace Sen. Jeff Plale, whom he defeated in the September primary. The opposition is Jess Ripp, 27, who, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "says his legal and real estate work is on hiatus while he puts in 50 to 60 hours a week on his campaign."

It's hard to say what Ripp's legal work is, since there is no record of him ever having a case in the Circuit Court system of the State of Wisconsin. As far as real estate, he doesn't even own his own residence -- a luxury condominium in the prestigious Cudahy, 777 N. Prospect Avenue. (The condo is listed in the name of a family LLC.)
Larson, who lives in an actual house in Bay View that he owns, was not aware that the south half of the Cudahy Tower was condo. (The tower is apartments, and is still owned by Michael Cudahy.)

Although Democrats have held Plale's 7th Senate District for years, Larson has been a trailblazing candidate in many respects. He is not taking his candidacy for granted in this crazy election year, despite a weak opponent. In fact, Larson's facebook prowess and organizational skills may lead to an interesting situation in November -- Tom Barrett may get a benefit from Larson's coat tails, since he appears to have connected with many new voters.

That, Mason told the audience, may be the key to Democratic party strategy for victory. Get the youth vote. Mason used as an example polling numbers that indicate such Republican issues as anti-gay marriage are "no-starters for voters under 30. They just do not see an issue with gay rights."

Comforting words of hope for the host, Ray Vahey, who testified against the gay marriage amendment with his partner, the late Richard Taylor. 

PHOTO GALLERY

JoCasta Zamarripa makes an appearance at the fundraiser.

 Dom Noth of the Milwaukee Labor Press snaps a picture of Michael Rosen and Rep. Barbara Toles.

The Hotel Astor (or Astor Hotel) is getting a paint job.

Here is Rep. Cory Mason, wearing a Wisconsin flag pin, properly labeled and suited up to greet his audience.

Supervisor Chris Larson meditates as the sun sets on E. Juneau Avenue. He could use better lighting.

Here we go. Chris Larson in better lighting.

Oops! Charlie Dee got something in his eye just as I was snapping a photo.

Rep. Barbara Toles explains a point to Ray Vahey

Here comes Dennis Conta.

Cory Mason gives the audience the lay of the land.

More remarks.

Ray Vahey says this George Raab drawing may be a self-portrait. It caught my eye!