Thanks to all who braved the unusually cold evening to enjoy our Second Annual Forks & Corks! Despite the weather, attendance at the event increased as did vendor participation! Additionally, our sponsorships were up as well! I look forward to beginning the planning process for next year's event. Some of you may have received an online survey regarding Forks & Corks. Please take a few minutes and fill it out as your comments and suggestions will help us to continue to present a fresh event!

Thanks to our Sponsors, Vendors, and Volunteers
Forks & Corks would not be possible for Molly and I to pull-off without the support of sponsors, vendors and our local communities and help of the many, many volunteers.

Below is a list of all that made Forks & Corks a success. Additionally, I want to especially thank our Presenting Sponsor, Wauwatosa Savings Bank, who through their generous support and employee volunteers made this event possible. A special thanks to Schaff Funeral Services for sponsoring the airfare for our raffle prize. Additionally, I am grateful to Golden Harvest Distributing, who not only provided us with an excellent selection of unique wines and beers, but also is a member of the committee and brought many, many volunteers to help pour. Creative Graphic Imaging printed our invitations, National Sign & Design made our beautiful banner, and West Allis Printing printed our raffle tickets. John W. Rupena of Rupena's also deserves a special thanks for all of his help during set-up and his assistance in acquiring the patio heaters -- which were very much appreciated! Once again, the City of West Allis and the Village of West Milwaukee helped out by providing park benches, tables, chairs, garbage cans and many volunteers to help make this event great. Thanks also to the West Allis Police Reserves for helping us with the event.

Of course, the event would not be possible without the continuing support of our local restaurants and artists. Participating restaurants included: Antigua Latin Restaurant, Crawdaddy's, Doyles Milwaukee Inn, Forty8 Restaurant & Tavern, Freese's Candy Shoppe, Gourmet Cheesecake Shop & More, Hong Thai, Mama Mia's Italian Cuisine, Mekato's Bakery & Café, Painted Parrot, Schlotzsky's Deli, Senor Speedy Mexican Restaurant, Sprecher Brewery, Starbucks, West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe, Weston Apple Orchard, and WWBIC's Coffee with a Conscience.

Participating Artists included: Art 'N Oddities / MeriMaryanne's, Bess Karns, Dawn Kolafa, Diane's Designs, Earlean & Fred Kurtin, Frame Design Gallery, James Hart, James Hartel, Jeff's Garden Accents, Kashka's, Klaus Zunker, Larissa Gall, Oniomania, Roger Wilson, West Allis Art Alliance. Please be sure to thank them the next time that you see them.

Finally, Forks & Corks would be impossible without the help of the many friends and business colleagues who donated their time and talent to fill our 40+ volunteer duties. We are fortunate to have so many generous individuals in our community. Ahmie-Woma Farkas, Alisa Chojnacki, Andrea (Oniomania), August Farkas, Barb Hart, Jeff Boville, Bob Schnick, Brigitte Chasco, Calvin Gabriel, Charles Collins II, Dale (Oniomania), Don Falk, Don Sager, Gina Rafenstein, Grant Spoeger, Jane Borchardt, Jeff Klyzub, Jessica Kizewski, Joelle Smyczek, John Hollmann, Julio Bryand, Kate Strattner, Kathryn Klemowits, Keith Klemowits, Kim Jankowski, Leslie Frick, Lucia & Merita Tairi, Maria Burgos, Marie Cruz, Mark Panlener, Marty McLeod Boville, Maud McGraw, Merideth Berghauer, Michael Wogoman, Nick Konzal, Pat Morris, Roger Frick, Ron Hayward, Scott Bunker, Steve Lampone, and Tammy Unrein. Please make sure you thank them when you see them. I would also like to especially thank "Dan, the Market Man," who runs the Farmer's Market for the City. Dan helped us out all day and night on Friday. Without his help, we would have been lost!

Our next Chamber Business After Five networking event is scheduled for Tuesday, October 30th at Bobu's Steakhouse. Mark your calendar, brush up on your singing, pull out a costume and come join us for a fun evening of networking! We hope to see you all there!