Author: Correspondent

Despite grey skies, unseasonable cold and intermittent rain showers from June 7 to June 10, the 31st Annual PrideFest Milwaukee conquered the weekend weather with unprecedented attendance outcomes. For the seventh consecutive year, PrideFest delivered record-breaking attendance with 45,400 visitors in 2018. This number reflects a 21% increase over the previous record of 37,682 set in 2017. This is the single largest year-over-year increase in the 31-year history of PrideFest Milwaukee. “Attending an event of this size, complexity and quality, it may be hard to believe that we are an all-volunteer organization” said Michail Takach, vice president of Milwaukee...

Schlitz Park announced recently that long-term tenant Independent Care Health Plan (iCare) plans to expand its RiverCenter building location with a new suite measuring nearly 14,000 square feet. Construction is expected to begin this month with occupancy expected in early September. The expansion brings iCare’s total Schlitz Park square footage to nearly 50,000 square feet and follows the announcement last month that HSA Bank will also expand its Schlitz Park location. “iCare has experienced significant growth, especially in the past five years, and is repeatedly named one of Milwaukee Top Workplaces,” said Gary Grunau, Schlitz Park’s co-developer. “It’s a...

Milwaukee Ballet broke ground on the new Baumgartner Center for Dance this afternoon in a formal ceremony on the site of the future two-story, 52,000 square foot facility at 132 N. Jackson Street. During the ceremony, Milwaukee Ballet announced the capital campaign that is underway to create this new physical space and to provide program funds to empower the world-class artistry and operations of Milwaukee Ballet. Honorary Campaign co-chairs and lead donors Donna and Donald Baumgartner proudly unveiled the name of the building, which was creatively revealed by Milwaukee Ballet’s dancers. “We are absolutely thrilled to break ground on...

The Milwaukee public is invited to meeting snakes, turtles, and lizards, up close and personal at the Wehr Nature Center on June 10 for Reptile Day. Families will see and learn about a variety of reptiles and amphibians from Wisconsin and around the world at the Wehr Nature Center. Experts, including wildlife biologist Randy Hetzel and members of the Madison Area Herpetological Society, will present their animals, give visitors the opportunity to touch or hold the critters, answer questions about reptiles in the wild, and discuss responsible ownership of reptiles as pets. “There’s a lot of myth and half-truths...

Mayor Tom Barrett recently named Adam Schlicht as Municipal Port Director, to direct operations at Port Milwaukee, oversee a staff of nineteen people, and administer Foreign Trade Zone No. 41. Schlicht succeeds former port director Paul Vornholt who was appointed Chief of Staff to Mayor Barrett in April. His appointment is subject to Common Council approval. “The City relies on the port director to promote commerce and support the local economy. At the same time, we count on Port Milwaukee to operate efficiently and continue to return a dividend to the city’s general fund,” Mayor Barrett said. “Adam’s background...

The Water Council (TWC), along with program supporters, Fund for Lake Michigan (FFLM) and Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), have chosen four 2018 Pilot Program winners to receive funding and support to help develop and validate new, revolutionary water technology products from prototype to small-scale production and manufacturing. Announced at WEFTEC last October, program applications were accepted from October 1, 2017 through November 11, 2017. The four winning companies were selected based on their product’s ability to address integrated water solutions through innovation, application and demonstration while maintaining a cost-efficient, scalable and deployable model. “Supporting the progression of new...