Special Events

NATIONAL CELEBRITIES & LOCAL EXPERTS ON FOOD, HOME & GARDENING TO PRESENT AT MILWAUKEE/NARI HOME IMPROVEMENT SHOW

Experts from HGTV and PBS, plus national and local chefs, headline the 47th annual Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Show.  The Show runs Thurs., Feb. 5, through Sun., Feb. 8, at the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park in West Allis.

This year’s presenters include:

Shari Hiller and Matt Fox, presented by The Home Depot, will be appearing Sat., Feb. 7, at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., and Sun., Feb. 8, at 11 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.
Dean Johnson, host of “Hometime” on PBS, will be appearing Fri., Feb. 6, at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Sat., Feb. 7, at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Chef Rock Harper, season three winner of “Hell’s Kitchen,” will be appearing Sat., Feb. 7, at 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Sun., Feb. 8, at 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.
Scott Leysath, The Sporting Chef, will be appearing Fri., Feb. 6, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sat., Feb. 7, at noon and 4:30 p.m.
Leroy Butler, member of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, will be appearing Sun., Feb. 8, at 2:30 p.m.

Shari Hiller and Matt Fox, creators of the first show to air on HGTV, the ever popular “room by room,” will provide Show attendees with “The ABC’s of Green,” ideas for decorative and practical items that will make the house more environmentally friendly.

Hiller and Fox hold the record for the longest running decorating show of their genre in TV history, 14 years and over 350 episodes. They have taught millions their detailed process of step by step decorating, improving the lives of many. In addition, they have written two successful decorating books, Real Decorating for Real People and Great Weekend Projects, wrote a nationally syndicated newspaper column, and a decorating Web site that has become an Internet staple.

They each earned their Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Kent State University.  Their paths crossed in 1991 at a Sherwin-Williams sales meeting, where they began discussing the development of a television show that concentrated on renovating rooms in a home one at a time.  In addition to the 30-minute episodes, Hiller and Fox have also done more than a dozen one-hour specials for HGTV, including “Christmas – room by room style” and “Matt & Shari’s Top 10 Countdown to Spring.”

Dean Johnson, 54, was born in Mankato, Minn., and grew up in Edina, near Minneapolis.  He attended college at the University of Minnesota, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Johnson worked as a cost accountant, a sales representative, and an independent builder before launching Hometime Video Publishing in 1984, which was designed to provide do-it-yourselfers with a new source of how-to information.  In addition to his role as co-host, Johnson is executive producer of Hometime and president of Hometime Video Publishing.

With a plan to produce a series of videotapes for distribution through hardware stores and home centers, the concept was soon expanded to include the television series, which premiered on public television November 1, 1986.  The program’s aim is to help homeowners achieve professional-looking results from their home improvement projects. On “Hometime,” everything from landscaping, painting, and kitchen facelifts to managing new construction and major additions to older houses is covered.

In 1992, Hometime began airing on The Learning Channel and in 2001 went into syndication. Hometime episodes are currently seen both on public television and in syndication across the country.

Rahman “Rock” Harper is the Head Chef at Terra Verde Green Valley Ranch Resort in Henderson, Nevada. He is best known for being the winner of the third season of “Hell’s Kitchen” on FOX.

Harper discovered his love of cooking when he was in his teens.  In high school, he took both cooking and home economics classes.  He soon became obsessed with the challenge of running a restaurant kitchen, and decided that this would be his career.  Making the most of his talent and determination, Harper became an award-winning, honors culinary graduate of the noted Johnson & Wales University.  Here, he gained extensive experience in both front and the back of the house at the University-run J&W Radisson in Rhode Island.  During his school vacations, Harper worked as Chef’s Assistant to Chef Osama El-Sayed, on his acclaimed internationally syndicated television show Bil Hanna Wa Shiffa (With Joy and Good Health).  This became Harper’s first full-time position after graduation from Johnson & Wales.

His resume also includes stints at Café Calliope in the Embassy Suites Hotel, Alexandria, VA, and as Sous Chef at Planet Hollywood, Washington, DC.  By age 21, Harper was Sous Chef at Bet On Jazz restaurant in Washington, DC.  It was here that he further refined his ability to recognize the freshest and most flavorful meats and produce as he was solely in charge of all food purchasing.  Harper joined B. Smith’s Union Station in 1999 as Sous Chef and later earned a promotion to Executive Chef.

“I've worked with many chefs, all with different cultural influences, such as French, Caribbean, Southern, Cajun, West African and American,” says Harper.  “In each kitchen, I dedicated myself to learning as much as I could and to understanding the unique elements of each culturally-distinctive cuisine.  My goal is to highlight the best of the best of these taste elements with my own distinct personal touches, all presented with a fun flair!”

Harper is 30 and lives in Henderson, Nevada, with his wife and their 2 children.

Co-Host of “Hunt Fish Cook,” Scott Leysath, The Sporting Chef, is a leading authority on the proper preparation of fish and game.  He is the author of two “The Sporting Chef’s Wild Game Recipes” cookbooks and is also a regular contributor to Ducks Unlimited Magazine, California Waterfowl Magazine and South Carolina Waterfowl Association's Waterfowl and Wetlands and Western Outdoor News.

Leysath spent four years on HGTV’s “Home Grown Cooking with Paul James.”   When not in front of the camera giving useful cooking tips or preparing dishes, he scripted and directed the show’s cooking segments. Currently, Leysath makes numerous appearances on outdoor television and radio programs nationwide.

His inaugural show, “The Sporting Chef,” won the Southeastern Press Association’s Excellence in Craft Award for two consecutive years.

Leysath joins Ducks Unlimited TV each week on the Versus network where he shows how to create duck and goose dishes, plus he’s a charter member of the Ducks Unlimited Culinary Council and works with a group of American chefs to develop an expanding line of Ducks Unlimited Hunt and Home products.

Leroy Butler will be appearing Sun., Feb. 8, at 2:30 p.m. and he will be preparing some of his favorite recipes, including macaroni and cheese.

From a disabled youth, spending much of his childhood in leg braces, Butler went on to become the most durable defensive back in the history of the Green Bay Packers. Playing in more games than any other defensive back (181), Butler was consistently productive, as he is the fourth ranked interception leader in team history (38).

Surviving an impoverished childhood in a poor area of Jacksonville, Florida, and suffering through serious leg and foot problems that confined him to a wheelchair as a youth, Butler experienced a miraculous healing in the seventh grade. He went on to be a three-year starter at Florida State before becoming the Packers second round pick in 1990.

Butler became a starter in his second season, and remained there until he retired after the 2001 season. Butler is given credit as the originator of the ‘Lambeau Leap’ when he jumped in the end zone stands after he took a fumble in for a touchdown in 1993. Selected to the Associated Press All-Pro team four years in a row in the mid 90’s, Butler was also named to the NFL 1990’s All-Decade team.

Butler has remained active in the community through many ventures, including his Leroy Butler Foundation, which assists women undergoing breast cancer treatment, enabling them to focus on healing and lessening the financial impact to their families.  His partner organization, LBF - K.I.D.S. (Kan Inspire Differences in Society) invites and empowers young people to use their individual strengths and talents while working together as a team to inspire their peers to better the community.

Tom Feiza, Milwaukee’s “Mr. Fix-It,” will give a seminar titled, “Just Fix It – The Absolute Best Repair Products” on  Thurs., Feb. 5, at 3:00 p.m., and Fri., Feb. 6, at 4:30 p.m.   The presentations will cover the most common fix-it problems, using state-of-the-art tools and techniques to help attendees achieve some surprising results. In addition to hot repair tips they can use instantly, attendees will receive a useful handout and free products.

Feiza’s public appearances combine down-to-earth information with a dash of humor, while his radio call-in show on AM620 WTMJ, which draws over 45,000 listeners each hour, allows him to provide practical solutions to callers’ questions on home repair and related projects.

A writer of a weekly question and answer column that appears in over 80 newspapers with total circulation reaching more than 600,000 homes, Feiza has also written two books on home repair.  In addition to radio and print, he regularly appears on television talk and news shows, where he shares his Mr. Fix-It tips.

A registered professional engineer with over 30 years of building management experience, Feiza obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Marquette University. He consults in the area of home remodeling and construction, and he performs home inspections.

Gus Gnorski, considered Milwaukee’s best-known handyman, began his broadcast career in 1966 on WTMJ-AM 620. The Milwaukee area first saw FOX 6’s “Ask Gus,” his weekly television show, in 1992.  More than 700 original episodes were produced and aired, and Gnorski remains a regular on “FOX 6 Wake-Up News.”  He will answer any questions related to home improvement and repairs, offering attendees his experience of almost three decades and teaching them when to do it themselves and when to turn to the professionals for help.

Melinda Myers, best known for her user-friendly and practical approach to gardening, has more than 25 years of horticulture experience in both hands-on and instructional settings.  During her presentation at 1:00 p.m. on Thurs., Feb. 5, she will discuss “Well Loved Wisconsin Garden Plants.”

Myers has a masters degree in horticulture, is a certified arborist, started the Master Gardener program in Milwaukee, and was a horticulture instructor at Milwaukee Area Technical College.  She has authored 20 books, including Can’t Miss Small Space Gardening, Birds and Blooms Ultimate Garden Guide and Jackson and Perkins’ Beautiful Roses Made Easy: Midwestern Edition.

She hosts “Great Lakes Gardener,” seen on PBS stations throughout the United States, and appears regularly as guest expert on various national and local television and radio shows. Myers also writes the twice monthly “Gardeners’ Questions” column for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and is a contributing editor and columnist for Birds and Blooms and Backyard Living magazines.

Myers has received recognition and numerous awards, including the 2003 Garden Globe Award for radio talent and the Quill and Trowel Award for her television work, both from the Garden Writers Association.  She also received the Garden Communicator’s Award from the American Nursery and Landscape Association, the Gold Leaf Award for Arbor Day from the International Society of Arboriculture, as well as the 2007 Perennia Plant Association Garden Media Award.

Roger Bannerman, a Water Resources Management Specialist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, will conduct a seminar on Rain Gardens on Fri., Feb. 6 at noon.

The complete seminar schedule for both stages, which is subject to change, is as follows:

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Seminar/Demonstration Stage

Thursday, February 5

1:00 p.m.:  Melinda Myers, “The Plant Doctor”: “Well Loved Wisconsin Garden Plants”
3:00 p.m.:  Tom Feiza – Mr. Fix-It – “Just Fix It – The Absolute Best Repair Products”
6:00 p.m.:  “Aging in Place” Panel Discussion: Jillaine Burton, CAPS – Callen Design Group; Jim Klappa, CGR, CAPS – JDJ Builders; Ron Klassen, CAPS – Wallner Builders; and David Pekel, CR, CAPS – Pekel Construction & Remodeling

Friday, February 6

Noon:  Roger Bannerman, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources – Rain Gardens
2:00 p.m.:   Dean Johnson – “Hometime” on PBS
4:30 p.m.:    Tom Feiza – Mr. Fix-It – “Just Fix It – The Absolute Best Repair Products”
6:30 p.m.:    Dean Johnson – “Hometime” on PBS

Saturday, February 7

11:00 a.m.:  Dean Johnson – “Hometime” on PBS
1:00 p.m.:  Shari Hiller and Matt Fox – HGTV’s “room by room” – “The ABC’s of Green”
3:30 p.m.:    Dean Johnson – “Hometime” on PBS
5:30 p.m.:    Shari Hiller and Matt Fox – HGTV’s “room by room” – “The ABC’s of Green”
Sunday, February 8

11:00 a.m.:  Shari Hiller and Matt Fox – HGTV’s “room by room” – “The ABC’s of Green”
12:15 p.m.:  Gus Gnorski – FOX6
1:45 p.m.:    Shari Hiller and Matt Fox – HGTV’s “room by room” – “The ABC’s of Green”

American TV Kennedy Hahn Appliance Cooking Demonstration Stage

Thursday, February 5

2:00 p.m.:  Chef Brent Perszyk – Mr. B’s Steakhouse
4:00 p.m.:  Sous Chef Roberto Islas, Ellen Zilli’s Catering
6:30 p.m.:  Chef Eileen Sherman of Live to Eat

Friday, February 6

1:00 p.m.:  Steve Danner – Cedar Creek Winery – Wine Basics and Food Pairings
3:00 p.m.:  Scott Leysath, The Sporting Chef
5:00 p.m.:  Chef Michael Fekr of Il Mito Restaurant and Jim Eidman of Strauss Brands
7:00 p.m.:  Scott Leysath, The Sporting Chef

Saturday, February 7

Noon:  Scott Leysath, The Sporting Chef
2:00 p.m.:  Chef Rock Harper, “Hell’s Kitchen” Season 3 Winner
4:30 p.m.:  Scott Leysath, The Sporting Chef
6:30 p.m.:  Chef Rock Harper, “Hell’s Kitchen” Season 3 Winner

Sunday, February 8

11:30 a.m.:  Chef Rock Harper, “Hell’s Kitchen” Season 3 Winner
12:45 p.m.:  Chef Rock Harper, “Hell’s Kitchen” Season 3 Winner
2:30 p.m.:  Leroy Butler, former Green Bay Packer
4:30 p.m.:     Milwaukee/NARI Foundation Prize Raffle Drawing

Co-sponsored by the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council, Inc., and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the 2009 Show will provide Milwaukee/NARI, the area’s leading home improvement and remodeling industry resource for more than 47 years, with the opportunity to have its members provide consumers with ideas on how to “ReCreate Your Space,” the theme for the Show.

More than 325 exhibitors will fill over 700 booth spaces covering the entire exposition center and will feature providers of thousands of home improvement products and services, including kitchens, bathrooms, decks, cabinets, windows, siding, countertops, lighting, landscaping, additions, wall covering, rec rooms, roofing, fireplaces, and more.

There will also be special attractions, including manufacturer displays, an interior design contest and the Show’s Outdoor Living Area will feature a “neighborhood” comprised of a variety of landscaping and hardscaping, plus playhouses built by area technical school students that will be raffled off at the conclusion of the Show. There will also be special attractions, including manufacturer mobile unit displays, an interior design contest featuring area college students, and an automotive display.

Hours on Thurs., Feb. 5, and Fri., Feb. 6, are 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 7, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; and Sun., Feb. 8, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Admission is $6 in advance, $8 at the door on Thurs. and Fri., and $10 Sat. and Sun.  Two-day tickets for the Show will also be sold at the door for $12.  Tickets for seniors 55 and older are $5.00, with a special price of $4.00 at the door on Thurs., Feb. 5, for Callen Construction Senior Day.  Children 12 and younger are free and there is free childcare for ages 3 – 12.

For more information, visit www.milwaukeenari.org or call 414-771-4071.

2009 HOME IMPROVEMENT SHOW

ADVANCE TICKET LOCATIONS FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT SHOW

MILWAUKEE/NARI SHOW OFFERS VARIETY OF ADMISSION DISCOUNTS AND PRIZES

NATIONAL CELEBRITIES & LOCAL EXPERTS ON FOOD, HOME & GARDENING TO PRESENT AT MILWAUKEE/NARI HOME IMPROVEMENT SHOW

MEMBER COMPANIES PROVIDE SUPPORT TO HOME IMPROVEMENT SHOW

SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS ABOUND AT 2009 MILWAUKEE/NARI HOME IMPROVEMENT SHOW

2009 MILWAUKEE/NARI HOME IMPROVEMENT SHOW EXHIBITOR LIST