Fifth Friday Events

Young Professionals of Waukesha County

If you are a Young Professional in Waukesha County and haven't attended a Fifth Friday yet, you don't know what you are missing. The Young Professionals of Waukesha County is a group created by the Waukesha County Business Alliance (countywide chamber of commerce if you weren't aware). Young Professionals are those in their 20s and 30s that work in Waukesha County. (They don't check IDs at the door to make sure you qualify and truly all are welcome.)

Each month that has five Fridays in it allows for a bonus networking night for the young professionals. This event is informal and FREE to attend and usually has some great drink specials. In other words, a good time at a local pub with "new friends."

I have been attending Fifth Friday events for quite a few years. For a while they were held at House of Guinness, but in the last year, the group has ventured to locations throughout the county - Delafield Brewhaus, Sprizzo's, Thunder Bay (to name a few) and this Friday's will be at Meiji Cuisine. New locations sometimes mean that the group layout will change, but the dynamic never does. Sometimes the facility works best for us to break off into smaller groups, other times we are one large group or a bunch of medium groups. Regardless we are all able to meet, socialize and cheers hello. And I think we can all agree that we are glad it's finally Friday. No matter what, you will have no problem joining in and meeting some great people.

This month's event is held from 5 to 7 pm on Friday, Aug. 31, and if you haven't been to Meiji Cuisine in Waukesha yet, you need to! And what a perfect opportunity to come check the place out. I have been to Meiji one time before and it was a fantastic sushi experience. You can read about it here. Meiji is located by Target and Home Depot in Waukesha off of Hwy J.

Meiji has about five menus to choose from for food and specialty cocktails, so there is something to please everyone. Although the event officially ends at 7, some of us stay after to eat and enjoy additional adult beverages together. All are welcome to partake in the post 7 pm dinner. I'm already craving the Outstanding sushi roll and Wasabi Salsa appetizer.

So if you are free (yes I know it's Labor Day weekend), consider stopping into Meiji Cuisine and joining us for a libation or dinner. I hope to see you there.

Prescription Drug Collection Event Recap

Last Saturday, I volunteered at the annual Waukesha County Prescription Drug Collection with the Young Professionals of Waukesha County. If you recall, the weather wasn’t exactly sunny and in the 70s but people still came out by the hundreds to drop of their prescription drugs and dispose of them properly.

 

In talking with Carolyn Hahn of the Waukesha County BusinessAlliance prior to the event over breakfast at Sprizzo’s, I discovered that this was the 4^th year that the Young Professionals have been a part of this collection. And even with less than stellar weather, people still come to use this drive-thru drop-off service.

As you can see I'm a little chilly in the tent!

After starting the morning with a nice Sprizzo’s Breakfast Strata and Hot Chocolate with whipped cream, I felt that I was prepared for the day. I dressed in layers and wore waterproof shoes, raincoat, and gloves.  I even packed my Hot Hands and most importantly, my positive attitude. One long tent to sort the drugs was set up in the Waukesha State Bank parking lot closest to the river off of St. Paul. Three quick, popup tents were set up about 20 feet apart in the middle of the other lot. We’d be ready for cars to pull up on either side of the tent. I was a survey taker in the first tent where we handed out information and got demographics. The next tent took the drugs from the cars and the final tent gave out reusable tote bags and asked for donations to the Waukesha County Drug Collection.

Working hard in the sorting tent

YPs asking for donations

For the first hour, we were solid with vehicles and I didn’t have much time to notice how much was being collected or how cold I was getting. Breaks began happening after the first hour, and Waukesha State Bank had set up its Community Room with water, cookies, donuts, coffee and most importantly warmth! A big thank you to the bank for letting us use that room.  

Traffic came pretty steady for the first three hours of the collection. For the last hour, we were down to one dry(er) tally sheet, as it was misting almost all day, and traffic was slow enough that we went down to one collection line. I had by then opened up some of the Hot Hands and had them in my shoes and pockets. A little damp and cold air wasn’t going to keep me from finishing my job. Poor Andy said that he never needed a break from directing traffic and stood in the misty, damp rain the whole event.

Some of the empty packaging heading to the incinerator.

The seven Waukesha County prescription drug collection locations collected over 6 tons of prescription medicine and the location that I worked at collected about 700 pounds alone.  I plan to volunteer at this event next year and recommend others to join us at this event and other events throughout the year. Getting thanked by so many people in line for the good that we are doing in the community by keeping these drugs off the streets, out of the hands of children and out of the water supply was thanks enough for me. Also, I enjoy getting me meet new people and network with them at these events. To find out about other Business Alliance events and volunteer opportunities, visit Waukesha.org.

Biz Alliance & Welcoming Back People's Park

So this is the first post that I'll be making from my iPhone. Not sure if I'll continue this route or stick with ole faithful, my laptop.

Anyways, last night was the Waukesha County Biz Alliance Holiday Party at Brookfield Suites. My friend Tiff and I attended and could not believe how many people were there and of course I couldn't believe how much food there was. We started with a little networking and wine and ran into a new networking bud and caught up briefly.

Then we hit the buffet. There was cheese, sausage, crackers and fruit--typical hors d'oeurves. But then there was the largest slab of meat that I have seen outside a butcher shop. The bone in the beef was no lie about 3 inches wide. It was insane and according to Tiff, very scrumptious. There were also mini spring egg rolls, quesadillas and bacon wrapped water chestnuts and a dessert table with dessert shooters, cookies and bars. But the other food star of the night was a mashed potato martini bar. The options were either traditional white potatoes or sweet potatoes in a martini glass that you then piled high with toppings. Tiff sampled this as I was saving room for the next stop and we couldn't get over how awesome of an idea it was. I shared with our new friends that we were then networking with that Generations is doing a baked potato or chili bar for lunch and that we should all check it out sometime.

Now onto my favorite part of the night....I got to go to People's Park. I have been patiently waiting the reopening of this bar and man oh man
was it worth the wait.

Following the party, a bunch of the young professionals met at People's to continue the holiday cheer. We made a reservation and were seated in the new upstairs area. Downstairs looks pretty similar to pre-fire design with just a few more tables in back. Upstairs is more lounge-y with a bar, some booths, high top tables and warm tones.

We were even lucky enough to score a peak at the rooftop dining. Unfortunately the phone stayed safely in my purse and I didn't take any pics from up there, but capacity is 49 people and there is a bar and beautiful wood floors. I think it would be a good location to rent out for a birthday party or other celebration and I may have just the right persons' party already in the works.

So after checking out the rooftop, I satisfied my People's void with potstickers and park fries. Everything was just as I remembered, including the very reasonable tab. I can't wait to get this back into my rotation and introduce my new friends to this late night spot. Welcome Back People's!!!

Until my next post, Happy Eating!