Newsletter


AAPM 39th Annual Meeting


Milwaukee, Wisconsin


July 27 - 31, 1997


Vol. 1, May 1997

This newsletter is the first of what I hope will be an ongoing annual meeting newsletter. The newsletter is intended to provide up-to-date information on the venue where the meeting is to be held, historical data on the city and state, local attractions, restaurant guide, etc. This issue contains information on the shuttle bus service for the meeting, airlines which service Milwaukee, and more. Please share this newsletter with your companion.

C.R. Wilson


HISTORICAL NOTES ON MILWAUKEE

  • Milwaukee is an Indian word often translated as "gathering place by the waters." Milwaukee was first settled in 1818 by Solomon Juneau. Two other founding fathers were Byron Kilbourn and George Walker. By 1835 Milwaukee consisted of three distinct settlements, all vigorously competing with each other called Juneautown, Kilbourntown, and Walker's Point.
  • The intense rivalry between the three settlements can still be seen in today's angled bridges over the Milwaukee River in the downtown area. Each settlement planned their streets to hinder the growth of the adjoining settlement. Milwaukee was incorporated as a city in 1846.
  • Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 was shot at the old Gilpatrick Hotel, now the site of the Hyatt Regency.
  • For history buffs, Milwaukee is the hometown of General Douglas McArthur, and General William "Billy" Mitchell, an early proponent of American air power.



WELCOME FEST

Peggy Lescrenier

This year the usual Sunday evening "Icebreaker" reception is changing to a "Welcome Fest." The "Fest" will be held on-site on the German Fest Grounds at Milwaukee's lakefront. On July 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, in a private tent, all AAPM registrants will be treated to German food, including bratwurst, sauerkraut, smoked salmon, and potato salad (and vegetarian selections too!), and to German drinks of beer, wine and soda. In the registration packet will be tickets to enter the German Fest grounds, which registrants can enjoy before and after the reception. The grounds are within walking distance of all hotels, but free shuttle service will also be available.

German Fest, a celebration of German culture and heritage, is held each year in Milwaukee at the Henry W. Maier Festival Park on Lake Michigan. The festival, held July 25, 26 and 27, features a wide assortment of traditional German cuisine, games, music and dress.

German immigrants played a vital role in the development of the city of Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin. Today, 54% of the Wisconsin population proudly claims German heritage. Residents celebrate their history by honoring the unique aspects of German life. In addition to polka bands, the festival features a variety of entertaining events ranging from tuba contests to the Mercedes Benz Club Vintage Auto Show.

Get a dose of German heritage at the many cultural events including a German fashion show, live Glockenspiel, documentary films, and displays of authentic German crafts.


SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE

This is the first annual meeting in which buses will be used to shuttle people to and from the overflow hotels to the convention center. Please refer to daily scheduled hours and pick-up points at each hotel below as well as information regarding bus service from all hotels for the Welcome Fest, Night Out and Run.


Sunday, July 27

Wisconsin Center

Bus service will begin at 9:00 am and continue throughout the day ending at 5:30 pm. Pick-ups and returns will be made to all hotels except the Hyatt Regency.

Welcome Fest

Bus service to transport people to Maier Festival Park for the Welcome Fest will begin at 5:00 pm from all hotels. Return bus service from Welcome Fest will begin at 8:00 pm with bus service ending at 10:00 pm. (Maier Festival park is approximately 5-10 minutes ride from any of the hotels).


Monday, July 28

Wisconsin Center

Bus service will begin at 7:00 am and continue throughout the day ending at 6:00 pm.

AAPM Award Ceremony & Reception

Bus service will begin at 4:30 pm to transport members and companions to the Hyatt for the Award Ceremony. Bus service will end at 9:00 pm.


Tuesday, July 29

GAMMEX Run

Bus departure from hotels is scheduled at 6:00 am with the anticipated start of the Run at 6:30 am. Buses will return participants to their hotels after the run is completed.

Wisconsin Center

Bus service will begin at 7:00 am and continue throughout the day ending at 6:00 pm.

AAPM Night-Out

Bus service will begin at 6:30 pm and continue throughout the evening ending at 11:00 pm.


Wednesday, July 30

Wisconsin Center

Bus service will begin at 7:00 am and continue throughout the day ending at 7:30 pm.


Thursday, July 31

Wisconsin Center

Bus service will begin at 7:00 am and continue throughout the day with service ending at 4:00 pm.


BUS SHUTTLE DEPARTURE & RETURN LOCATIONS

Hyatt Regency Third Street entrance
  • Milwaukee Hilton - Main entrance on 5th St.
  • Wyndham - Main entrance on Kilbourn Ave.
  • Hotel Wisconsin - Main entrance on 3rd St.
  • Holiday Inn - Main entrance on 6th St.
  • Ramada Inn - Front entrance on Michigan Ave.
  • Pfister Hotel - Side entrance on Jefferson St.
  • Park East - Main entrance on Juneau Ave.
  • Astor Hotel - Main entrance on Juneau Ave.
  • Wisconsin Center - All pick-ups and drop-offs will be made at the Kilbourn Ave. entrance


NOTE: Buses will have plaques identifying the hotels they service.



AAPM'S NIGHT OUT

Charles Lescrenier

AAPM members will be treated to historic wonders, valued treasures and memorable encounters when they tour the Milwaukee Public Museum and the Discovery World Museum of Science, Economics and Technology on Tuesday, July 29th.

The evening includes continuous running of a short IMAX presentation and scientific shows demonstrating physics in the GAMMEX Theatre. The new GAMMEX Theatre provides live performances that are sure to please you and especially your children. This show will feature acts selected from over 20 years of AAPM talent shows. We are sure to tie one on you.

Award-winning exhibits make the Milwaukee Public Museum one of the nation's finest natural history museums. Milwaukee Public Museum features a Costa Rican Rain Forest complete with diverse plant and animal life, the world's largest dinosaur skull and authentic mummies. Exhibits contain treasures from North American Indians, Pre-Columbian America, the Arctic Circle and the Savannah of Africa. Butterflies Alive, one of the premiere exhibits, offers visitors a unique opportunity for close-up viewing of live, free-flying butterflies. The centerpiece of the exhibit is a 1,000 square-foot, walk-through butterfly garden with blossoming plants, a cascading waterfall and hundreds of live butterflies.

Hands-on exhibits and live GAMMEX Theatre shows are only a few of the highlights at Discovery World, Milwaukee's newest museum. The new Discovery World spotlights the future not only in its exhibits, but in its design as well. The grand copper foyer, a Hubble Telescope image in tile, and many other interesting design features make Discovery World a one of a kind museum. This hands-on museum's innovative blend of science, technology, economics, learning, live performances and humor challenges the imagination of all visitors. Exhibits include Milwaukee Muscle, a view of machines in Milwaukee's early days, the 4Cast Center, which visitors try their hand at meteorology, and Electro, a live theatre performance demonstrating the thrills, hazards and power of electricity.


BREWERIES
For People Who Don't Want To See Through Their Beer

Paul Nagy

Milwaukee is synonymous with the Miller Brewing Co. and certainly their presence is unmistakable, but what few tourists know is that Milwaukee has some of the finest microbreweries in the country even before they coined the term "microbrewery." Milwaukee, which has the highest density of German immigrants in the US, has imported some of the most amazing secrets in the art of beermaking.

If you are left with the decision to sample only one local variety during the convention week, make sure it has the label of the Sprecher Brewing Company on it. Sprecher, far and wide, brews some of the finest beers in the world, from their Black Bavarian which rivals Guiness on the viscosity scale, to their Hefe Weiss which is hard to find outside of Germany. Another top notch microbrewery located in the downtown area is the Lakefront Brewery, which gives a wonderful tour and brews a great Pilsner.

If you are looking for a good brew pub that is a microbrewery and also doubles as a restaurant, there is Water Street Brewery, located downtown. Water St. hosts an active night life with many bars and clubs along the river.

If your desire is the quintessential Milwaukee flavor, then you must visit Von Trier's. Located on the corner of North & Farwell St. offers the best beer garden in the city. With a dark mahogany interior, mantled with elaborate steins, I invite you to sample a Sprecher India Pale Ale in their outside beer garden with its exquisite iron wrought exterior. This is the closest you can get to Germany without a visa!

There are many other breweries located in the Milwaukee area, and for a more complete list, visit our web site at http://www.mcw.edu/medphys/aapm__97/


BREW PUBS NEAR WISCONSIN CENTER

Von Trier's

2235 N. Farwell Ave, 272-1775

Self-proclaimed as "America's most authentic German lounge," complete with a buck's head mounted on the wall and murals depicting German leisure pastimes. Von Trier's serves 150 imported beers. Of these, the majority, of course, are German. (About 2 miles from Convention Center)

Water Street Brewery

1101 N. Water St., 272-1195

Gleaming copper kettles can be seen in the windows of the Water Street Brewery, a combination microbrewery, bar and trendy restaurant. This establishment features five varieties of seasonal and specialty beers from Amber, Lager, Oktoberfest, and Weiss bier to Pils, English Red and Boch. Hours: 7 days a week, 11am-2am. (About 5 blocks from Convention Center)

Brown Bottle

Schlitz Park, 221 W. Galena St., 271-4444

The old tap room of the brewery that "made Milwaukee famous," is now a bar and restaurant. You can still purchase a bottle of Schlitz, along with 110 other brands of beer. The decor is strictly old world, with heavy oak paneling, stained glass, and antlered light fixtures. Daily 11 am - 10 pm; Sat 5 pm - 11 pm. Closed Sundays. (About 2 blocks from Convention Center)

Gasthaus Zur Krone

839 S. 2nd St., 647-1910

Try any one of 225 beers from around the world and join Zur Krone's "Meister Bier Schmeckers Veirein." The sole purpose of the "society" is the enjoyment and evaluation of the world's great beers. Your first import earns you the rank of "stift" (apprentice). The 51st makes you a "geselle" (journeyman) and earns you a ½ liter stein. With your 101st you're acknowledged as a true beer "meister," and awarded a one-liter stein. Daily noon-close. (About 2 miles from Convention Center)


GETTING TO MILWAUKEE BY AIR

Milwaukee is serviced by the following major airlines: America West, America Trans Air, Continental, Delta, Midwest Express, Northwest, Skyway, TWA, United, and US Air. The airport is about 10 miles from the meeting hotels.

Midwest Express is highlighted because I highly recommend them for your trip to Milwaukee. Milwaukee is the hub for Midwest Express and direct flights are available from 26 cities. They feature all first class service with wide leather seats, 2 on each side of the aisle, excellent food served on real china, and complementary wine and champagne. With advance reservation and an overnight stay on Saturday, fares are usually very competitive with coach fares of other airlines. It is worth your while to contact them for flight information and fares at (800) 452-2022.

Milwaukee can also be reached via O'Hare Airport. O'Hare is located about 80 miles south of Milwaukee and limousine/bus service is available. The round trip fare is $32.00. Children under 5 are free, those 6 to 11 years old are half-price. Car rentals, of course, are also available at O'Hare, and the trip to Milwaukee takes about 1 ½ hrs.


WORLD WIDE WEB

Milwaukee meeting information is available on our web site which can be accessed either through the AAPM headquarters web site at aapm.org or directly through the Medical College of Wisconsin site at http://www.mcw.edu/medphys

For any additional information, contact C.R. Wilson at (414) 777-3790 or e-mail crwilson@post.its.mcw.edu