Classic Bradley Corp wash fountain featured in ‘Loo of the Year Award’ winner
The hand-washing fountain first created by Bradley Corporation more than 90 years ago is featured in one of the trophy-winning restrooms honored in Britain’s 2010 Loo of the Year Awards. The fountain was one of the first wash-fountain to put the Milwaukee-based commercial wash-fountain manufacturer on the map.
The 23rd annual Loo of the Year Award program, organized by the British Toilet Association to search for the best ‘away-from-home’ toilets in the UK, awarded pub chain owner JD Wetherspoon the top honor as overall trophy winner for 2010. The men’s and women’s loos in JD Wetherspoon’s Justice Mill Pub in Aberdeen, Scotland both feature sleek and modern renditions of Bradley’s historic washfountain.
“The UK’s hospitality sector is placing significantly increasing importance on provision of first class toilets that contain the facilities their customers need and expect when visiting their premises,” said Mike Bone, Loo Awards managing director. “Wetherspoon’s is continually raising the bar within this sector providing excellent and unique toilets in its pubs throughout the UK.”
Wetherspoon, runs 790 pubs across the U.K. and won the Loo Award out of over 1,400 entries, including restaurants, shopping malls, hotels and government buildings.
Milwaukee Ballet concludes its season this weekend
The Milwaukee Ballet will close its 2010-2011 season this weekend with their final performance of Coppelia, Thursday, May 19 through Sunday, May 22 at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.
Coppélia is the story of a life-size doll, created by Doctor Coppélius, the town’s most mysterious citizen. The doll magically comes to life and attracts the attention of a local villager so entranced by its beauty that his wife-to-be must impersonate the doll in order to win back his love. The production requires a large cast that, in addition to the entire Company, includes dancers from the Nancy Einhorn Milwaukee Ballet II program. Daniel Mooney, an actor with Milwaukee Repertory Theater, will also join the Ballet in the non-dancing role of Dr. Coppélius. The classic story will come to life through the use of costumes, colorful scenery, and Léo Delibes’ classic score performed live by the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra. Milwaukee Ballet Artistic Director Michael Pink based the choreography and staging for this production on Enrico Cecchetti and Lev Ivanov’s version of the ballet.
Coppélia was the first full-length story ballet produced by the Company in December 1970. It was last performed in Milwaukee in 1991. Tickets for Coppélia range from $25-$89, and are available online at www.milwaukeeballet.org or by calling 414-902-2103.
JFS hosts former Olympian at conference
The Community Mental Health Education Project of Jewish Family Services, Inc. recently sponsored its community-wide mental health conference, “The Many Faces of Depression: Hope and Health” at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center, 750 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive in Milwaukee. Over 300 interested community members, consumers, mental health professionals, students, families and caregivers were in attendance.
Pictured: Former Olympian, Suzy Favor Hamilton, keynote speaker addresses her life as a successful athlete and her struggle to find happiness in the face of depression. Photo by: Juliana Bruno, Director of Outreach, JFS
‘Fonzie’ makes cameo in Wisconsin tourism commercial
The Wisconsin Department of Tourism recently launched its new summer marketing campaign today in various markets across the Midwest around the creative platform of “fun.”
The “Picture the Fun” campaign is intended to inspire travelers in Wisconsin to discover and share their idea of fun this summer.
The campaign will run in markets across Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Iowa, and feature TV spots, radio spots, print and digital ads, out-of-home marketing efforts, public relations, social media executions, and advertising with the Chicago Transit Authority.
Additionally, campaign extensions will run on TravelWisconsin.com and the Department of Tourism Facebook page and Twitter feed throughout the campaign, and will include: notable guest bloggers with ties to Wisconsin; a “Summer Fun Report;” and a “Picture the Fun” photo contest.
Free Travel Wisconsin iPhone and Android apps are also available for download and help travelers find local attractions, lodging, dining and recreation throughout the state.
In one of the three new 30-second TV spots, actor Henry Winkler, who portrayed the character “Fonzie” in the “Happy Days” TV show, set in Milwaukee, makes a cameo appearance.
“The people of Milwaukee and Wisconsin have always embraced my family and me with their warmth,” Winkler said. “I was so pleased when I was asked to play a role in promoting Wisconsin because of the admiration I have for the state.”
To preview the commercial, click here.
“The State of Wisconsin is well-positioned to really separate itself from the competition with this campaign,” said Gov. Scott Walker. “The Department of Tourism’s primary focus is to market the state and grow the tourism economy, ultimately creating jobs through effective marketing. The creative platform we’re rolling out will enable us to effectively compete for tourism dollars and meet those objectives.”
“Our campaign will hit the mark for travelers by appealing to the emotional experiences that come with a Wisconsin vacation,” said Department of Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett. “Our goal is to inspire travelers and make it easier for them to find fun this summer. The state’s diversity of fun tourism offerings provides the traveler with limitless options.”
The budget for the campaign was $3.15 million.
Milwaukee-based Laughlin Constable is the agency of record for the Department of Tourism. The campaign features the work of Wisconsin talent, production crews and musicians.
Marcus Theatres to add more 3D screens
Marcus Theatres, a division of Milwaukee-based The Marcus Corp., announced that it will install 37 3D cinema systems at theaters throughout the Midwest.
Marcus will install 3D systems at: Hillside Cinema in Delafield, Majestic Cinema in Brookfield, Menomonee Falls Cinema, North Shore Cinema in Mequon, Renaissance Cinema in Sturtevant, Ridge Cinema in New Berlin, Sheboygan Cinema and South Shore Cinema in Oak Creek.
With the addition of the 37 RealD 3D systems, Marcus Theatres will have digital 3D capability at 103 screens at 44 locations in seven states. The company plans to install the 37 additional RealD 3D systems in time for the May 20 opening of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
“In total, an unprecedented fourteen 3D pictures will be released over the next four months, leading many to believe that the summer movie season may be one of the strongest in years,” said Bruce J. Olson, president of Marcus Theatres. “As our digital 3D expansion continues, more and more of our guests will be able to enjoy the life-like 3D experience at their closest Marcus Theatre.”
In addition, Marcus Theatres said it has reduced the additional cost of 3D tickets from $3.00 to $1.50 for children aged 2-11 and seniors 60 and over.
“Marcus Theatres has always strived to provide affordable entertainment options to our guests,” Olson said. “We hope to see moviegoers of all ages enjoying the latest 3D films in our theatres this summer.”
