Results tagged ‘ Brewers Community Foundation ’
John Axford Participates in Milwaukee Film Festival Once Again
Thursday night was Opening Night for the 2012 Milwaukee Film Festival, which runs through October 11.
If you check out the event, held at Landmark Oriental Theatre, Downer Theatre and Fox-Bay Cinema
Grill, you just might spot some familiar faces in the crowd. This year, once again Brewers closer John Axford has been involved with the festival through Brewers Community Foundation, one of the event’s sponsors.
A 2005 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Film, John is quite the movie buff.
Before each screening at the festival, you’ll see this trailer, which features John and through his involvement, he is also scheduled to attend and speak onstage prior to a screening of The Princess Bride on Saturday, October 6 at 2:30 p.m.
<iframe src=”http://player.vimeo.com/video/50406842″ width=”500″ height=”281″ frameborder=”0″ webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen>
Milwaukee Film Festival 2012 Sponsor Trailer from Milwaukee Film on Vimeo.
In addition, John will be a judge for the Cream City Cinema Competition. He’ll watch three feature films and one shorts program and then deliberate with the other jurors to select the winner of the Filmmaker in Residence Program.
Make sure to follow John on Twitter @JohnAxford and also check out the Film Festival website for updates.
As part of their support, Brewers Community Foundation is one of the sponsors for the Milwaukee Children’s Film Festival presented by PNC. The Children’s Film Festival is also sponsored by MetroParent and MilwaukeeMoms.com.
“The film festival is so great for the community. The quality of film and exposure to other cultures is a tremendous asset that I think people should take advantage of. In particular, the Children’s Film Festival fits well with Brewers Community Foundation’s focused interest in education,” said Executive Director of Brewers Community Foundation, Cecelia Gore.
The Children’s Film Festival is co-directed by Julia Magnasco, Education Director at First Stage Children’s Theater, and Brian Gallagher, the former Executive Coordinator of the Wisconsin International Children’s Film Festival; it features quality children’s cinema from around the world. Each screening includes discussions with filmmakers or educators, hands-on activities and take-home guides.
The Milwaukee Children’s Film Festival will screen on the weekends during the film festival, today through Sunday, October 7 at the Oriental Theatre and Fox-Bay Cinema,
For those of you attending the festival, you might also recognize another name in the program: MLB Commissioner Allan H.(Bud) Selig and his wife, Suzanne, are also major supporters of the film festival and have been since its inception in 2008. In recognition of their support, the Allan H. (Bud) and Suzanne L. Selig Audience Award is given each year to the overall audience favorite film in the feature and short film categories.
-Cait
Rickie Weeks Named Brewers Nominee for the 2012 Roberto Clemente Award; #VOTERICKIE!
Today Major League Baseball and Chevrolet, the official vehicle of Major League Baseball, announced that Rickie Weeks was named the Brewers 2012 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet.
Today marks the eleventh annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was established by Major League Baseball to honor Clemente’s legacy and to officially recognize local Club nominees of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet.
Rickie is one of the 30 Club finalists for the annual award, which recognizes a Major League Baseball player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement. The award pays tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character by recognizing current players who truly understand the value of helping others. The Award is named for the 15-time MLB All-Star and Hall of Famer who died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
Each season, Rickie makes financial contributions to Brewers Community Foundation, the official charity of the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club, to support activities and programs targeted to youth recreation, scholarships and education throughout Wisconsin. This summer, he hosted the Team Smile dental clinic that took place at Miller Park, which provided free dental care for 200 children from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. He also made monetary contributions to the YMCA in support of their swimming program, which teaches central city kids how to swim.
Rickie has also partnered with Brewers Community Foundation to serve as a sponsor for the 2012-2013 “Teach for America, Sponsor-A-Teacher” initiative in Milwaukee and he has sponsored the production of the play – Jackie Robinson Story, which will debut in 2013 by Children’s First Stage Theatre Company.
In addition, since 2008, Rickie has financially supported the Rickie’s Rookies Ticket Program, which provides hundreds of game tickets and t-shirts to youth groups and organizations throughout Milwaukee and Wisconsin; he has also supported the American Diabetes Association, the Beckum-Stapleton Little League and the 2011 Fatherhood Initiative Trip where he hosted fathers and their children on a one-day trip to St. Louis for a ballgame, among other charitable events.
On Saturday, September 29 (Fan Appreciation Night, presented by Chevrolet), Rickie will be recognized as the Brewers 2012 Roberto Clemente Award nominee in a pregame ceremony at Miller Park.
Beginning today, fans can vote to select the national award recipient by visiting MLB.com/ClementeAward to vote for one of the 30 Club nominees. Participating fans will be automatically registered for a chance to win a trip to the 2012 World Series, where the national winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet will be announced. Voting ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 14, and the winner of the fan poll will receive one vote among those cast by a selection panel.
– John and Cait
johnandcait@brewers.com
9th Annual Evening with Hank Aaron a Success
The 9th Annual “Evening With Hank Aaron,” presented by Brewers Community Foundation and the Forest County Potawatomi Foundation, was held last night in the NYCE Stadium Club at Miller Park.
The exclusive event with the Hall-of-Famer, husband, philanthropist and businessman included a dinner with notables Hank’s former teammates Felix Mantilla and Johnny Logan, as well as former Brewers player Craig Counsell, now Special Assistant to the General Manager; a silent auction and a Q&A session with Hank hosted by Bob Costas, broadcaster with NBC Sports and the Major League Baseball Network. Each guest also received a professional photo with Hank, and a special gift autographed by him.
“My week goes from the sublime to the ridiculous,” Bob said in his introduction, referencing the fact that not only did he have the opportunity to interview Hank Aaron during the event, but that he will also be the emcee for Bob Uecker’s statue dedication on Friday.
The riveting interview touched on some of the adversity that Hank experienced en route to becoming the Home Run King.
Growing up in Mobile, Ala. Hank was told by his own father that he couldn’t be a pilot, something that he aspired to do as a young boy. “Forget about it boy, because there ain’t no colored pilots,” Hank recalled his father saying. When Hank told his father he would focus on baseball instead, his father told him, “You can forget about that too. Your only options are to become a school teacher or blow a saxophone.”
Hank didn’t let that stop him, though. And, when, as an 18-year-old, he attended a baseball camp with the Dodgers in Mobile and he was told, “Listen son, you’re too little, go home. You can’t play baseball,” he didn’t let that stop him either.
Coming up in the Negro and Minor Leagues, Hank started out as second baseman—batting cross-handed nonetheless—before he grew into the powerful home run hitter we remember him as.
And, even as his professional career flourished and he was chasing Babe Ruth’s home run record, there were a lot of people who wanted to see him break it, but there were also a lot of people who didn’t.
“The two years that I spent chasing Babe Ruth’s record were two years that I don’t talk about much because I have mixed feelings about it, really,” Hank said. During that time, he received a lot of hate mail and his family had to be protected.
In spite of those barriers, Hank prospered and is, as Bob noted, one of the two greatest players living today, along with Willie Mays.
“So, which one of you was better?” Bob asked.
Without missing a beat, Hank said, “I was! I say that jokingly. We played in many All-Star Games together and he truly was a great ballplayer, no question about that. But when I had a bat in my hand, I didn’t fear anybody. I didn’t think that anybody could get me out. I felt like I was in complete command of everything. I wasn’t worried about playing the outfield. I could steal a base when I wanted to; I felt like I had enough knowledge of how to run the bases. I didn’t have the strongest arm in the world, but I didn’t make too many mistakes throwing from right field. I felt like my baseball career was second to none and I didn’t take a backseat to anybody. I just played baseball. “
Hank talked about his two stints in Milwaukee, the city that bookended his career. He hit his first home run as a Milwaukee Braves player and his last as a Milwaukee Brewers player.
“This is the greatest city in the world. I loved playing here in Milwaukee… I don’t remember ever being boo’ed here….I always felt like I was treated fairly in Milwaukee. I was one of the first players to come through the system from Eau Claire to Jacksonville and I felt like I belonged in the city. I felt like people appreciated what I was doing.”
Throughout the night, fans were treated to a walk down memory lane as names like Joe Adcock, Wes Covington, Warren Spahn, Don Drysdale and more were bought up in a conversation that spanned a wide range of topics like pitchers Hank enjoyed facing, his greatest rivals and regrets, and how Hank and Bob each initially fell in love with the game.
And, while Hank’s statistical record speaks for itself, when Bob closed by asking him how he wishes to be remembered, Hank said,
“Not for whatever I did in baseball, but as someone who cared about other people. Baseball came easy to me, but I felt like there were other players who were capable of doing the things that I did. The most important thing is how I tried to treat other people. I’ve tried to live my life that way.”
And indeed, Hank is already living this legacy with the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation, created by Hank and his wife, Billye. The foundation’s goal is to help children with limited opportunities and financial barriers develop their special talents and pursue their dreams.
All proceeds from the event benefit the fund and are administered locally to help children in the Milwaukee area.
A slideshow from the event is below. I hope you will join me in 2013!
-Cait
johnandcait@brewers.com
To learn more about Brewers Community Foundation’s Evening with Hank Aaron and how you can support both BCF and the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation, click here or contact Meredith Malone at meredith.malone@brewers.com.
Brewers Community Foundation Week Officially Kicks Off Thursday at Miller Park
“What’s Good?” asks the Brewers Community Foundation.
Rickie Weeks helps kids smile brighter by supporting “Team Smile.” Yovani Gallardo supports youth baseball programs in Milwaukee like the Felix Mantilla Little League and the RBI Program. Ryan Braun supports Habitat for Humanity.
While that is just a small slice of what Brewers players do for the community, there is plenty of good in our Milwaukee community. The Brewers and the Brewers Community Foundation are able to shed light on “What’s Good?” in the Milwaukee community and draw attention to those bright spots. BCF week highlights those activities through a series of raffles, auctions and other activities that put “What’s Good” in the spotlight. BCF’s focused areas of interest are related to the causes that highlight the Foundation’s charitable impact in the community.
Perhaps the highlight of BCF Week is the “Ultimate Auction” which is now live on Brewers.com now and will close Tuesday night. There are some amazing prizes and experiences available to fans through this auction. Photo opportunities with players, private hitting and pitching clinics with coaches, pre-game dinner with Brewers TV announcers Brian Anderson and Bill Schroeder. But, perhaps one of the most unique prizes has to be a “Meet & Greet” with Nyjer Morgan who will also record your personal cell phone greeting!
Check in with the auction throughout the week. All the auctions close at 11:59 p.m. CT on Tuesday, August 21.
There are many other events surrounding BCF Week, check out the schedule below:
Thursday, August 16 – Where’s Chorizo?
Fans have a chance to win a 2012 Team autographed Chorizo from the 2012 “Where’s Chorizo?” event. Also included in this raffle is a Chorizo t-shirt, a 2012 Marco Estrada autographed Cerveceros jersey as well as a backyard BBQ for 25 thrown by the Klement’s Famous Facing Sausages, complete with Klement’s, Miller and Pepsi products! Sausages will make an appearance to the winner’s home on a mutually agreed upon date. Raffle tickets will be sold at Miller Park and are 2 for $5, 10 for $20 or a wingspan for $50. can you imagine the party you could throw with the Famous Racing Sausages!?
Friday, August 17 – Framed Baseballs Raffle
This is a great opportunity to celebrate Wisconsin’s two MVP’s. Fans have a chance to win a very special framed piece with includes an autographed Ryan Braun baseball and an autographed Aaron Rodgers Gold baseball with a photo of the two MVP’s. Raffle tickets will be 2 for $5, 10 for $20 or a wingspan for $50.
Saturday, August 18 – Wives’ Mystery Grab Bag
Players’ wives will be selling autographed items from their husbands. Fans can purchase each mystery bag for a $40 donation to the Brewers Community Foundation which is earmarked for various organizations. The wives will be stationed at each entrance to Miller Park, as well as on the Club Level. Mystery grab bags are always fun and knowing $40 will get you an autographed baseball from a Brewers player and knowing the money is going to a good cause is not a bad deal.
Sunday, August 19 – BCF Treasure Hunt
Fans always love game-used items. Game-used items from past games and seasons will be available for purchase in a special treasure hunt at the Brewers Community Foundation table on the Field Level concourse near Guest Relations behind section 116. Items include bats, baseballs, jerseys and other items of interest. I would recommend getting to Miller Park early that day to make sure you have an opportunity to get the best items. I will try to visit early that day and post some items to Twitter.
Monday, August 20 – Brewers Players Favorite Things Raffle
I have always enjoyed this idea. Not only do you learn what is Randy Wolf’s favorite cereal , what is Mat Gamel’s favorite candy bar or what is John Axford’s go to movie, but you have an opportunity to take these items home with you. Fans have a chance to win a basket full of Brewers players favorite things. The baskets feature a wide variety of items that are favorites of Brewers players and coaches as well as autographed memorabilia. Raffle tickets will be sold 2 for $5, 10 for $20 or a wingspan for $50.
Tuesday, August 21 – Strike Out Breast Cancer Raffle presented by Froedtert Center for Diagnostic Imaging – CDI
Fans have a chance to win a few different items as Authentic White jerseys autographed by John Axford, Ryan Braun and Yovani Gallardo, an autographed Corey Hart Pink Jersey and a Pink Bat autographed by members of the 2012 Milwaukee Brewers will be raffled off. Raffle tickets will be 2 for $5, 10 for $20 or a wingspan for $50. All proceeds from this raffle will go to benefit After Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD).
BCF Awareness Night
On Tuesday, August 21, fans will have an opportunity to learn more about the organizations that BCF supports every year while being able to participate in games and activities to win cool prizes.
Wednesday, August 22 – Brewers Community Foundation Clearance Sale
Fans will have another chance to purchase game-used items from past games and seasons as well as other Brewers items at the Brewers Community Foundation table located on the Field Level concourse near the Guest Relations behind section 116. Again, get to Miller Park early!
Additionally, throughout BCF Week at Miller Park, fans will have an opportunity to participate in “BCF Pinko”–think everyone’s favorite Price is Right game. For a $5 donation, fans can play BCF Pinko for the opportunity to win a prize with every drop. Prizes will vary from game tickets to Drive for Charity pins, Brewers merchandise and the always popular mystery bags.
BCF Week is going to be a great opportunity to win some one of a kind Brewers items while at the same time giving back to the Milwaukee community. The best part is that fans can take part for as little as $2. Stay tuned to the blog as we will be posting updates and information to the blog and Twitter. There will be a lot of great activities going on all week.
–John and Cait
johnandcait@brewers.com
Famous Racing Sausages Run/Walk a Success! Brewers Mini is 8 Weeks from Today!
Today, 4,000 people took part in the sold-out Brewers Community Foundation’s 14th Annual 5K Famous Racing Sausages Run/Walk and it was a huge success!
The top time was 15:40 by Jon Fink of Muskego and the top finisher in the mascot division was Italian!
Fundraising efforts for the event raised money for Fisher House Wisconsin, which provides a “home away from home” for military and veterans’ families to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee.
For more on the event, follow @BrewersCF on Twitter and be sure to send your own updates and photos using the hashtag #5KSausageRunWalk. On Pinterest? You can also upload your photos with the hashtag and we’ll add them to our board!
If you ran today’s race, here is a .PDF with complete results: 2012 Results.
This event is a perfect precursor to the Brewers Mini-Marathon, which takes place 8 weeks from today, on Saturday, September 22. Registration is still open and you can save by signing up by Tuesday, July 31.
Read on for photos and our recaps of the day!
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CAIT
This is always such a fun race–a wide mix of serious, competitive runners, casual runners/joggers and walkers, groups of friends, co-workers & families.
I was part of Team Brewers, which consisted of nearly 40 members of our Brewers family. Among them were coaches, players’ wives and front office staff. It was great to see such a big turnout!
When we got to the starting line, we were asked to line up according to your pace. I chose to run with the 10-minute mile pack, based on the way my previous training has been going.
I started off strong, but my knee started bothering me again and I ended up taking a few walking breaks along the way. It was okay, though because it afforded me the opportunity to take some photos for you and appreciate the unique course/scenery!
Overall, I finished in just under 35 minutes–almost an 11-minute mile pace. I hope to improve upon that pace as I continue to train for the Brewers Mini.
John
As I said in my post earlier this week, I was looking for a 7:40 pace. I felt really good today and finished with a time of 22:48 which was a 7:21 pace! I was pretty pleased with that. I thought the course ran fast today, it was hot, but not too bad. There were some clouds that gave you some shade here and there.
I really didn’t know where I was throughout the race time-wise. I didn’t run with a watch or anything, just kind of pushed it the entire way. Running through Miller Park was pretty cool. I’m on the field everyday, so I’m used to it, but running through like that was a different experience. It was great to hear encouragement on the scoreboard from the players and the theme music to “Rocky” also added to the experience. I gave it a good extra kick through there.
As I came up the final 150 meters and could start to see the finish line, I knew a sub-23 minute time was within reach. I kicked it in a bit and heard the recognizable voice of Ed Sedar at the finish line yelling “Come on Steiny!” That was all I needed. I am proud to have finished in the top 180!
__________________
Congratulations to everyone who participated and finished the race today. Stay tuned for as we continue to provide updates on our training for the Brewers Mini!
-John and Cait
Famous Racing Sausages Run/Walk Tomorrow; 9 Weeks Until the Brewers Mini
The Brewers Community Foundation’s 14th Annual 5K Famous Racing Sausages Run/Walk is tomorrow and, thanks to all of you who signed up early, the event is sold out — all 4,000 slots are gone!
This means that we are no longer accepting new entries or any walk-ups on the morning of the 5K Sausage Run/Walk. Only participants wearing race-issued numbers will be permitted onto the 5K Sausage Run/Walk course.
If you are all signed up and ready to run (or walk), packet pick-up took place earlier this week. If you didn’t get yours yet, don’t worry–packets will also be available to pick up on the day of the 5K Sausage Run/Walk between 6:30 and 7:15 am underneath the tent outside of the Sausage Haus.
The event will begin at 8 am for Runners and 8:15 am for Walkers near the Sausage Haus. We recommend that all registered participants arrive by 7:15 am to allow for parking and getting to the start line (obviously earlier if you don’t have your packet yet). Parking is free and available in the Miller Lot at Miller Park
Don’t forget to register to fundraise for Fisher House Wisconsin by going to www.brewers.com/5kfundraising. Great Brewers incentives are available for those that reach the fundraising targets.
If you’d just like to make a donation, you can contribute to our team here.
For updates on the event, follow @BrewersCF and be sure to send your own updates and photos using the hashtag #5KSausageRunWalk.
This event is a perfect precursor to the Brewers Mini-Marathon, which takes place on Saturday, September 22. Unlike the 5K, the Brewers Mini is still taking registrations and you can save by signing up by Tuesday, July 31.
See you at the finish lines!
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JOHN
I haven’t raced a competitive 5K in about a year, but I’m ready and excited for Saturday. It will be an early wake up call on Saturday after a night game on Friday, but I will be ready to go. Saturday will be warm, so make sure to stay hydrated!
Here is an outline of the race so participants can plan their race. If you have participated before, the route hasn’t changed, but if you are new, it would be a good idea to get somewhat familiar with the course.
5K Sausage Run Walk Course
There is a large contingent of Brewers employees that are participating as well as some media members running. That makes me a little more competitive, but we will see how things turn out. I’m hoping for a 7:40 pace which would be about 23:46. I think setting a goal for yourself (whatever it may be) is important in motivation. Does anyone have a similar goal for Saturday? I’ll be wearing bib number 12, so come find me and let’s race!
CAIT
I’m all ready for the 5K on Saturday! Here’s a photo of my shirt and bib:
Lucky number 11? Who was your favorite Brewers player to don this number?
I’ve been training since May for the Brewers Mini, but I’ve had some setbacks along the way, including a knee that continues to bother me. The 5K this weekend will be a good test of my endurance and hopefully give me the confidence I need to continue training for the race in September.
__________________
Stay tuned for our results from the 5k and our next posts about the Brewers Mini.
-John and Cait
18 Weeks To Go Until the Brewers Mini-Marathon….10 Weeks until the 5K Sausages Run/Walk!
Last week, John, Trenni and I visited the official training partner of the Brewers Mini, Performance Running Outfitters in Brookfield, to get geared up so we can officially begin training. Not only does Performance Running provide high quality shoes, apparel, and accessories (with a discount for John and Cait readers!) , but they will also be providing the pace team for the race and they have developed an official training program for it. [For more information on the program, or to register, click here.]
The 14th Annual 5K Famous Racing Sausages Run/Walk will be held at Miller Park on Saturday, July 28, starting at 8 a.m. (for runners like you!) and 8:15 a.m. (for walkers). Applications are now available online at brewers.com/5krunwalk.
I’ve run in this 5k in the past and it’s always a blast. Even if you are not so ambitious as to be preparing for the Brewers Mini, it’s one of the most unique races in the area and, with the walk option, is also a great event for families.
One very unique feature of this event is that participants actually get to test their skills against the Famous Racing Sausages, who also run the course. The run will begin and end at the Klement’s Sausage Haus where the Brat, Hot Dog, Chorizo, Italian Sausage and Polish Sausage join the crowd on the course. And, Brewers first base coach Ed Sedar will serve celebrity starter for this year’s event.
The route also makes its way around the warning track of Miller Park, making it excellent practice for the Brewers Mini –when else are you going to get a chance to test that terrain?
All participants must be pre-registered and the event is is filling quickly, so it is recommended that those interested register ASAP for this event.
So far, there are 26 States and the Armed Forces – Europe represented in the participants.
For the $30 registration fee, participants in the Run/Walk receive a commemorative t-shirt, a Terrace Reserved ticket voucher good for one of eight Brewers 2012 home games, a bottle of Aquafina water, a Klement’s hot dog and a beer for participants 21 and older. The overall top male finisher and the overall top female finisher also receive a year’s worth of Klement’s meat products.
Participants can create/join teams when they register. Teams of 15 people or more will get their team names on the back of their t-shirts.
All proceeds of the event will help Brewers Community Foundation extend financial support to non-profits that provide quality programming in the areas of health, education, recreation and basic needs and this year, the fundraising component returns as participants and fans are encouraged to help raise additional funds to benefit Fisher House Wisconsin. Participants can learn about incentive levels, prizes and read the official rules for fundraising at brewers.com/5kfundraising.
Any questions regarding the 5K Famous Racing Sausages Run/Walk or the fundraising component can be directed to Meredith Malone at meredith.malone@brewers.com or by visiting brewers.com/5krunwalk.
Stay tuned for our next training post as we prepare for these two fun events!
To join us at one or both of these great races:
- Register for the 5K Run Walk at brewers.com/5krunwalk
[Follow @BrewersCF and use hashtag #5KSausageRunWalk for updates!]
- Register for the Brewers Mini at brewersmini.com
[Follow @BrewersEvents and use hashtag #BrewersMini for updates!]
Can’t race, but still want to help some great causes?
- Support the Fisher House by making a donation to our team here .
- Support the MACC Fun by making a donation to our team here.
Happy Running!
- Cait
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About Fisher House: Fisher House provides a “home away from home” for military and veterans’ families to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee. Currently, veterans from 23 different states of all generations travel to the Milwaukee VA medical center for treatment at the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) center, while 8,000 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans receive treatment here in Milwaukee for their wounds or injuries. Veterans and their families living beyond 50 miles from the Milwaukee VA hospital are eligible to stay for free at the Fisher House if they need to overnight. The Fisher House program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and ensures that they are provided with the comforts of home in a supportive environment. Due to this need, the future Milwaukee home will be one of the largest built in the United States. Fisher House Wisconsin is scheduled to break ground in 2013.
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Sponsors of this year’s 5K Famous Racing Sausages Run/Walk are: Brewers.com, Chevrolet, Klement’s, Olympus Group, Pepsi, Prime Time Timing, Rexnord, SportService, Time Warner Cable, Navy Club USA – WI Squadron, Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association WI Chapter 45-1, Wisconsin Athletic Club and 2-Story Creative.
Closer John Axford to Open Film Festival Tonight
Brewers fans, are you looking for something to do on your off day?
Tonight is the Opening Night for the 2011 Milwaukee Film Festival, which runs through October 2.
If you check out the event, held at Landmark Oriental Theatre on Milwaukee’s Eastside, you just might spot some familiar faces in the crowd. This year, Brewers closer John Axford has been involved with the festival through Brewers Community Foundation, one of the event’s sponsors.
If you remember my interview with John back in Spring Training when we were busy shooting our TV commercials, you’ll recall that John graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Film in 2005 and is quite the movie buff.
Through his involvement, John has been featured on billboards promoting the event and he also plans to attend the Opening Night party at Discovery World. Make sure to follow John on Twitter @JohnAxford for updates and also check out the Film Festival website, as rumor has it, there will be an interview with John posted shortly.
Catcher Jonathan Lucroy and pitchers Randy Wolf and Tim Dillard, are also planning to attend opening night festivities.
As part of their support, Brewers Community Foundation is sponsoring Take One: Milwaukee Children’s Film Festival, presented by PNC. Take One is also sponsored by Marcus Theatres.
“The film festival is so great for the community. The quality of film and exposure to other cultures is a tremendous asset that I think people should take advantage of. In particular, the Children’s Film Festival fits well Brewers Community Foundation’s focused interest in education,” said Executive Director of Brewers Community Foundation, Cecelia Gore.
The Children’s Film Festival is co-directed by Julia Magnasco, Education Director at First Stage Children’s Theater, and Brian Gallagher, the former Executive Coordinator of the Wisconsin International Children’s Film Festival; it features quality children’s cinema from around the world. Each screening includes discussions with filmmakers or educators, hands-on activities and take-home guides.
Take One films will screen on the weekends during the film festival, September 24 and 25 at the Oriental Theatre and the Marcus Ridge Cinema in New Berlin and also on October 1 and 2 at both the Oriental and the Marcus North Shore Cinema in Mequon.
For those of you attending the festival, you might also recognize another name in the program: MLB Commissioner Allan H.(Bud) Selig and his wife, Suzanne, are also major supporters of the film festival and have been since its inception in 2008. In recognition of their support, the Allan H. (Bud) and Suzanne L. Selig Audience Award is given each year to the overall audience favorite film in the feature and short film categories.
For a complete schedule of all Film Festival events, click here: http://www.milwaukee-film.org.
-Cait
johnandcait@brewers.com
P.S. In speaking with Cecelia, I also discovered that a limited number of passes for Take One will be available at the Brewers Community Foundation 50/50 raffle tables during tomorrow night’s Brewers vs. Marlins game beginning at 7:10pm. Stop by, purchase your raffle tickets and you just might get to go to the festival on us!
Prince Fielder’s Brewers Bowl-A-Thon Raises over $28,000 for Milwaukee’s YMCA Young Leaders Academy
Last night at the iPic Bowling Center at the Bayshore Town Center in Glendale, Prince Fielder welcomed 150 Brewers fans to bowl with him and a number of his Brewers teammates. Prince Fielder’s Brewers Bowl-A-Thon raised over $28,000 for Milwaukee’s YMCA Young Leaders Academy. The money will benefit the YMCA Reading Program and its Young Leaders Academy to will help build the “Brewers Dugout,” aimed at children in k4-3rd grades with the goal of fostering a love of reading in the students.
Prince Fielder at the 2011 Bowl-A-Thon last night at the iPic Entertainment Center in Milwaukee
“It’s all about the kids,” Fielder said. “I’m happy to be able to help make this opportunity to them. Reading is so important to them building their future and the YMCA is giving them an opportunity to build a good future. We are just going to have fun tonight with the kids.”
Randy Wolf at the 2011 Bowl-A-Thon last night at the iPic Entertainment Center in Milwaukee
A number of Brewers players including LaTroy Hawkins, Randy Wolf, Jonathan Lucroy, Mark DiFelice, Kameron Loe, Marco Estrada and Chris Narveson bowled alongside Fielder. It was funny to watch some of the players bowl with their opposite hands throughout the night (we need to protect those arms!). Even with the opposite hand, many players were putting up high numbers.
LaTroy Hawkins bowls left-handed at the 2011 Bowl-A-Thon last night.
The 2009 Brewers Bowl-A-Thon top bowler, Mark DiFelice, was nearing a 200 game (left-handed of course) before the Famous Racing Hot Dog snuck in and bowled his final frame. DiFelice was a little upset as he was looking to take back his title after taking 2010 off, but still managed a score of above 185.
Prince Fielder normally doesn't like strikes, but last night he was looking for them!
Ryan Braun and Craig Counsell also attended the event, posed for pictures and talked to fans, but did not bowl.
The iPic Bowling Center was a perfect location for this as it allowed the players and participants to interact. A group of kids from the Young Leaders Academy (Northside Campus) also participated in the bowling. The kids had smiles on their faces all night as they were able to hang out with some of their Brewers heroes.
Dave Nelson (left) interviews Mark DiFelice (center) and his fiance, Lauren.
A special thanks to Katina Shaw, Erica Bowring, Cecelia Gore, Meredith Malone and Joan Enters of the Brewers front office for their hard work in organizing and promoting what turned out to be a great event. A special thanks as well goes out to the emcee of the evening, Davey Nelson.
–JOHN
johnandcait@brewers.com
Brewers Thanksgiving Basket Delivery
Yesterday, I participated in the Brewers Community Foundation’s Annual Thanksgiving Basket Delivery. The BCF along with its partners, 1290 WMCS-AM, the Milwaukee County Sheriff, Feeding America and Hunger Task Force presented 500 full Thanksgiving meals for those in need. The recipients of the meals were selected by WMCS-AM through letters and e-mails submitted to the station.
After a short press conference at Miller Park, we loaded up some boxes and headed over to the Guest House just north of Marquette University’s campus. The Guest House is a homeless shelter for men that gives more to men than a roof over their head, but also works to find jobs, health care, education and other social services for its guests.
We delivered over 15 full Thanksgiving meals to the Guest House that included everything you need for the traditional Thanksgiving meal–dressing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, cake mix, canned yams, corn, green beans, fruit, and, of course, a turkey. Cecelia Gore, Executive Director of the Brewers Community Foundation presented the Guest House with a $10,000 contribution. It was a great gesture in a time of giving.
Special thanks go out to Brewers television play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson and former Brewers great Larry Hisle for their assistance yesterday. You could see the excitement in the eyes of the recipients at the Guest House yesterday when they saw the former All-Star slugger (who is now an All-Star in the community). Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke and numerous representatives from 1290 WMCS-AM were also on hand for yesterday’s delivery.
The remaining meals will be distributed today and tomorrow by WMCS-AM.
Click this link to see some of the video highlights from yesterday.
From the Brewers family to your family, have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!
– JOHN
John and Cait
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