Governor’s Business Plan contest, now accepting applications
The eighth annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest is now accepting entries for the 2011 contest season. Interested participants should submit a 250-word abstract for their business plan at www.govsbizplancontest.com before 5 p.m. on Jan. 31 to be considered for the contest.
Since its inception seven years ago, more than 1,800 entries to the contest have been submitted and approximately 160 finalists have been selected and shared nearly $1 million in cash and prizes.
Entries can be submitted in four different categories that include advanced manufacturing, business services, information technology and life sciences.
This is the first year that our the G. Steven Burrill Business Plan Competition at UW-Madison, the Marquette University Kohler Center for Entrepreneurship Business Plan Contest, the Northeast Wisconsin Business Plan Contest, and the Mason Wells BizStarts Collegiate Business Plan Competition, will feed into the statewide competition.
“It’s important to build a network of regional and college contests that can augment the Governor’s Business Plan Contest, which remains one of the premier statewide competitions for entrepreneurs working in the tech-based economy,” said Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council which produces the BPC.
Growing Power provides affordable nutritious food for holidays
Milwaukee-based Growing Power Inc., will offer affordable Thanksgiving baskets for families to incorporate into their thanksgiving meal.
The baskets are designed to feed a family of four for up to one week, and include locally grown, potatoes, yams, broccoli, celery, onions, bell peppers, greens, cranberries, apples, oranges, pears and bananas. Each basket is valued at nearly $25 but will sell for only $16. Organic turkeys are also available at Growing Power for $3.99 per pound. Turkeys weigh between 10 and 18 pounds.
The urban farm is encouraging people to purchase the Thanksgiving baskets for neighbors, and those unemployed, under employed or in need. Baskets and turkeys can be purchased anonymously from Growing Power and can then be donated to a family in need in the community. Baskets and Turkeys will be available for purchase from Nov. 19 through Nov. 24 at Growing Power’s farm, 5500 W. Silver Spring.
Gift certificates are also available.
Tickets go on sale for Ballet’s holiday tradition
The Milwaukee Ballet will begin its annual performance of The Nutcracker from Dec. 10 through Dec. 26 at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.
The holiday tradition is a story based on the Tannenbaum family’s holiday celebration of delicious food, festive dancing and gift giving. It follows Clara’s dreams to a land of make believe and holiday fun.
Tickets to the performance range from $25 to $69. Pictures with Milwaukee Ballet Dancers can be taken after each performance. For Tickets and show time information please visit www.milwaukeeballet.org.
Holiday shopping event encourages people to buy local
The Outpost Alternative Gift Fair and the Our Milwaukee Buy local Fair will be held together on Sunday, Dec. 5 from 12 to 4 p.m. at Lakefront Brewery, 1872 Commerce St.
The fair will host Milwaukee-area nonprofit organizations and locally owned independent businesses that offer unique opportunities for holiday gift giving.
Attendees can make donations to causes that fit their values as an alternative to traditional gift giving. The Our Milwaukee Buy Local Fair shines a festive light on the benefits of supporting locally owned, independent businesses during the holiday season.
The fair is free to attend; Lakefront will also provide free brewery tours and refreshments will be available for purchase from Lakefront, Fast Foodie and Outpost. For a list of participating nonprofit organizations as well as a list of participating Our Milwaukee members visit the organization’s Facebook page.
Santa to visit Sprecher
Santa and his elves are scheduled to appear at Sprecher Brewing Company, 701 W. Glendale Ave., for the annual Soda with Sana event On Sundays Dec. 5, Dec. 12 and Dec. 19 starting at 11 a.m.
Families can take a brewery tour, visit with Santa, have a photo taken with him and even have the picture placed on a bottle of Sprecher root beer.
Brewery tours will be given on the hour from 12 to 3 p.m. Pictures with Santa cost $5 for adults and $4 for seniors and includes a brewery tour, a commemorative glass, beer and soda samples. Pictures with Santa are $3 for children and include a tour, a coloring book, and soda samples. U.S. Military personnel with valid ID are free.
The personalized Sprecher Root Beer will be ready to take with you when you leave and will cost $2 per bottle, minimum 12 bottle order.
City gears up for the holiday season with extravaganza event
Milwaukee Downtown will flip the switch on the holiday season at its 12th annual Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kick-Off Extravaganza on Thursday, Nov. 18 at 5:30 p.m. at Pere Marquette Park.
A family fashion pre-show will kick off the event and will showcase gift ideas and apparel from local retailers including: Fred, SHOP, Roger Stevens Menswear, Boutique Larrieux, Brew City Beer Gear, Boutique B’lou, Lounge Boutique, The Sophisticated Man, Lela, Miss Ruby, Laacke & Joys and Beauty. A variety show will begin at 6 p.m. featuring live music by King Solomon and Marquette University’s Gold ‘N Blues Club and other live entertainment will highlight the event. The switch will be flipped just before 6:30 p.m. and guests can enjoy a holiday-themed fireworks program, free hot cocoa, coffee and cookies as well as McCafe Caramel Mocha samples compliments of McDonald’s.
Downtown Milwaukee’s Jingle Bus, sponsored by Columbia St. Mary’s, will also kick off it’s holiday lights route. Attendees at the Holiday lights festival can ride for free for the evening. After Nov. 18, the Columbia St. Mary’s Jingle Bus will operate Thursday through Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. until Jan. 2. The bus will leave warming house at the Plankinton Arcade in The Shops of Grand Avenue, 161 W. Wisconsin Ave and will cost $1.
No new Bubbler next week
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there will not be a new BizTimes Bubbler issue next week. Expect a new Bubbler the following week on Thursday, Dec. 2.
