October 6, 2013 | Kate Bratskeir for Huffington Post

Marcus Corporation CEO, Greg Marcus was featured on the Huffington Post for his passion for the jazz piano. Read on to learn how Greg, and other busy executives, find time to relax.

One has to wonder how the most successful, busy people get it all done. The beloved Oprah, for one, has acted in and produced dozens of award-winning films, launched several lucrative talk shows and published one of the most-recognized magazines of all time — all while overcoming a sincerely difficult past. Whew.

While there’s no single formula for success, one ingredient that only promotes prosperity is, well, the act of not doing. Relaxation.

As Tony Schwartz, founder and CEO of The Energy Project and best-selling author wrote in The New York Times, “The importance of restoration is rooted in our physiology. Human beings aren’t designed to expend energy continuously. Rather, we’re meant to pulse between spending and recovering energy.”

So, despite their filled-to-the-brim schedules, the people who “make it” block off some of their precious hours — even days — for the purpose of restoration. Schwartz writes:

More and more of us find ourselves unable to juggle overwhelming demands and maintain a seemingly unsustainable pace. Paradoxically, the best way to get more done may be to spend more time doing less. A new and growing body of multidisciplinary research shows that strategic renewal — including daytime workouts, short afternoon naps, longer sleep hours, more time away from the office and longer, more frequent vacations — boosts productivity, job performance and, of course, health.
As he puts it, not taking a break is actually unsustainable. It will lead to less productivity and — yes — more burn out. Successful people who have kept their heads above water have tapped into this truth and explored ways to unwind, which are ultimately the foundation that supports their greatest achievements. Consider this the next time you think there aren’t enough hours in the day to just chill. And for some relaxation inspiration, find seven ways some of our most admirable figures clear their heads below.

They simplify the inevitable.

Chris Solarz, a pension fund consultant, hasn’t taken the the subway to work in over nine years. Instead, the New Yorker runs the four miles every day to his office. His commute, rather than a crowded, germ-ridden ride, is a purposeful one.

“Time commuting is just dead time,” says the avid runner, who uses the miles on foot to make phone calls or just “prepare for the day.” And of course, running has innate de-stressing powers: It can reduce headaches, help to eliminate depression and boost your confidence overall. “I run for simplicity,” says the consultant. “This is my approach to life.” You might not be able to replace your commute, but Solarz’s efforts may inspire you to simpliify something else in your life over which you do have control.

They keep their [furry] friends close.

Many of our nations presidents have ensured that their furry friends take up residency with them in the White House: Bo and Sunny Obama, Buddy Clinton and Fuzzy Reagan are just a few of the pups that have helped America’s leaders unwind.

But the heads of state aren’t the only ones who’ve realized the power of a pooch: “My dog will love me even if my $50 billion Ponzi scheme is discovered,” jokes Jack Holt, CEO of S3 Matching Technologies, a software company based in Austin. And besides the unconditional love, pups may help to lower blood pressure and stress levels, things that many high-powered professionals have tuned in to.

They nap.

In her 2013 commencement speech at Smith College, Arianna Huffington advised graduates to sleep their way to the top. Self-proclaimed “sleep evangelist,” Huffington has made rest a priority for herself and her employees. “Sleep makes us more productive, creative, less stressed and much healthier and happier,” she told Today.

Huffington isn’t the only leader who has encouraged her employees to sleep by adding nap rooms to her office. Companies like Google, Nationwide Planning Associates and Procter & Gamble have also jumped on the nap room bandwagon, encouraging their employees to sleep on the job to be more productive.

And after all, a 15-minute snooze can do way more for your energy and stress levels compared to the other common practices we often turn to when feeling overwhelmed. “It’s better to have a nap than to have a doughnut,” says Huffington.

They unplug.

Yes, high-performing power people have lots of networking to do, and it’s important they stay in touch. But, these same people know that without disconnecting every now and again, they’ll experience utter burnout. Take Padmasree Warrior, the CTO of Cisco Systems, for example, who makes a ritual of her Saturday morning digital detox. “It’s almost like a reboot for your brain and your soul,” she told The New York Times. Gina Bianchini, founder and CEO of Mightybell, feels similarly: “I think Saturday afternoon is pretty much the best time to unplug … I find keeping the weekends quiet is critical.”

As Mike Robbins explains in his blog on The Huffington Post, we have to make a conscious effort to pull away from our devices.
While unplugging may not always easy or encouraged in the environments we find ourselves in, it’s crucial to our success and well being in life. When we’re able to disconnect ourselves, we can regain some of the passion, energy, creativity, and perspective that often gets diminshed or lost when we allow ourselves to get sucked into our phones, computers, TVs and other devices.
They play.

Playtime is not something that should be reserved exclusively for children. “We don’t lose the need for novelty and pleasure as we grow up,” says Scott G. Eberle, Ph.D., editor of the American Journal of Play. And some of the most successful people know that having a little fun is in their best interest. While Obama himself finds the time to ball, Greg Marcus, the CEO and President of The Marcus Corp., recently rediscovered his love for the piano and finds time to play on the side.

They meditate.

Meditation has become quite the trend among the elite: From Oprah Winfrey to Rupert Murdoch, big stars are putting the art of mindfulness into practice. Winfrey even devoted an entire show on OWN last year to meditation, and, as The Christian Post reported, she has everyone in her company take 15 to 20 minutes a day to just be. Being still has become a priority for these types because it works: A dose of meditation has been proven to lower stress, promote creativity and help us to feel more in touch with our true selves. And it doesn’t take much to start experiencing results (which is perhaps the very reason these big shots are dedicating the time to practice): Just 10 to 15 minutes of meditation offers brain-calming benefits.

They appreciate nature.

Just because you’re used to seeing them in one doesn’t mean the elite are bound to a power suit. MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow retreats from Manhattan every weekend to her quaint country home in Western Massachusetts. Since the house has no cable or TV (more points for unplugging), Maddow finds pleasure in simplicities like reading comic books and relishing in the beauty of the country. Michelle Obama milks the great outdoors for all of its de-stressing properties. Besides tending to her garden in the name of health, the First Lady gets herself outdoors when she feels overwhelmed. “If I’m ever feeling tense or stressed or like I’m about to have a meltdown, I’ll put on my iPod and head to the gym or out on a bike ride along Lake Michigan with the girls,” she said.

View original article from Milwaukee Magazine

Best Historic Revamp

How often do you really seek out a hotel bar? The Hilton Milwaukee City Center’s Monarch Lounge (509 W. Wisconsin Ave.) just might change that. A classic cocktail menu is a plus, but the real draw is the 1920s-era, art deco surroundings. The lounge holds the building’s original crystal chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling mahogany wood panels and 30-foot, previously covered windows that look out on to Fifth Street. At a time when it’s trendy to be retro, it’s refreshing to see the real thing. (CD)

Café at The Pfister Refines Menu
You talked, and the Café at The Pfister listened. The menu is updated to focus more solidly on the restaurant’s popular soup, salad and sandwich offerings.

Executive Chef Brian Frakes has expanded the sandwich options to include a buttermilk fried chicken sandwich and firecracker guacamole burger. A brand new “Chips n’ Dip” section features housemade Garlic Parmesan Truffle Chips, and Lemon Garlic Hummus. Notable specialty dishes include Memphis French toast, a cereal coated deep fried croissant with peanut sauce and griddled bananas and housemade bacon maple icecream.

The café will also feature Bavarian-style pretzel served with butter mustard sauce and edible dessert shooters, including flavors like grasshopper pie, Brandy Alexander, and key lime, which are meant to satiate your craving for something sweet without filling you up.

The Café at The Pfister, located in The Pfister Hotel at 424 E. Wisconsin Ave., is open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch, 6 a.m.-2 p.m.

Fall Wine Dinners at Marcus Restaurants
Wine lovers should take note of two pairing dinners offered in October by the Marcus Restaurants.

First up, on Thursday Oct. 10, experience the Sturino Trotta Wine Dinner. Join Kil@wat’s Executive Chef Robert Druschitz and Kil@wat General Manager Anthony Trester for an evening of fine wines and decadent food pairings. David Trotta Barnes, Wisconsin native and founder of California-based Sturino Trotta Cellars, will be the evening’s featured guest speaker. Pairings include Pan Seared Diver Scallop & Pork Belly Duo, with pickled cucumber, and lemongrass-mango coulis, paired with Sturino Trotta Chardonnay; and Pan Seared New York Strip, with celery root salad, star anise and port wine demi, paired with Sturino TrottaCabernet Rutherford and Sturino Trotta Cabernet Special Select.

The dinner will include a 6 p.m. reception with dinner at 7 p.m. The cost is $85, plus tax and gratuity. For more information, visit kilawatcuisine.com. For reservations, contact Anthony Trester at anthonytrester@intercontinentalmilwaukee.com or (414) 276-8686.

The second dinner, celebrating Terlato wines, will take place on Friday, Oct. 18 at Mason Street Grill. Experience a five-course wine dinner with Terlato’s hand-crafted boutique label wines from the Russian River Valley and Rutherford regions of California, perfectly paired with Executive Chef Mark Weber’s culinary creations.

Examples of pairings include Seared Diver Scallops, with a collage of wild mushrooms, black truffle parsnip puree, and snow pea endrils paired with Terlato Chardonnay, 2011; and Palmetto Farms Roasted Squab, with green lentil, Tuscan kale and frisee salad, paired with Terlato Pinot Noir, 2011.

The dinner will begin with a 6 p.m. reception, with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $95 plus tax and gratuity. For more information, visit MasonStreetGrill.com. For reservations, call (414) 298-3131 or email beckimckenna@masonstreetgrill.com.

Two downtown Milwaukee restaurants owned by The Marcus Corp. have updated their menus.

The Cafe at the Pfister, in The Pfister Hotelat 424 E. Wisconsin Ave., and InterContinental Milwaukee at 139 E. Kilbourn Ave., announced new menus late last week in news releases.

The Cafe at the Pfister has new sandwiches, cialis including a buttermilk fried-chicken sandwich and firecracker guacamole burger, along with dishes such as a Bavarian-style pretzel from Milwaukee Pretzel Co. and dessert shooters, small, mousse-like desserts. One unique item is the Memphis French Toast, “a deep-fried, cereal-coated croissant with peanut sauce and griddled bananas, served with housemade maple-bacon ice cream.”

New dishes at the InterContinental include seared diver scallop and pork belly duo, seared salmon tournedo and pear cake. The restaurant has increased its prep-work to serve diners who are heading to performances at nearby theaters more quickly, the release said.

The Pfister and the InterContinental are owned by Marcus Hotels & Resorts, part of Milwaukee-based Marcus Corp.

Original Article by Lori Fredrich for OnMilwaukee.com

Fall Wine Dinners at Marcus Restaurants
Wine lovers should take note of two pairing dinners offered in October by the Marcus Restaurants.

First up, on Thursday Oct. 10, experience the Sturino Trotta Wine Dinner. Join Kil@wat’s Executive Chef Robert Druschitz and Kil@wat General Manager Anthony Trester for an evening of fine wines and decadent food pairings. David Trotta Barnes, Wisconsin native and founder of California-based Sturino Trotta Cellars, will be the evening’s featured guest speaker. Pairings include Pan Seared Diver Scallop & Pork Belly Duo, with pickled cucumber, and lemongrass-mango coulis, paired with Sturino Trotta Chardonnay; and Pan Seared New York Strip, with celery root salad, star anise and port wine demi, paired with Sturino TrottaCabernet Rutherford and Sturino Trotta Cabernet Special Select.

The dinner will include a 6 p.m. reception with dinner at 7 p.m. The cost is $85, plus tax and gratuity. For more information, visit kilawatcuisine.com. For reservations, contact Anthony Trester at anthonytrester@intercontinentalmilwaukee.com or (414) 276-8686.

The second dinner, celebrating Terlato wines, will take place on Friday, Oct. 18 at Mason Street Grill. Experience a five-course wine dinner with Terlato’s hand-crafted boutique label wines from the Russian River Valley and Rutherford regions of California, perfectly paired with Executive Chef Mark Weber’s culinary creations.

Examples of pairings include Seared Diver Scallops, with a collage of wild mushrooms, black truffle parsnip puree, and snow pea endrils paired with Terlato Chardonnay, 2011; and Palmetto Farms Roasted Squab, with green lentil, Tuscan kale and frisee salad, paired with Terlato Pinot Noir, 2011.

The dinner will begin with a 6 p.m. reception, with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $95 plus tax and gratuity. For more information, visit MasonStreetGrill.com. For reservations, call (414) 298-3131 or email beckimckenna@masonstreetgrill.com.

Original Article by Stacey Vogel Davis for The Business Journal

Two downtown Milwaukee restaurants owned by The Marcus Corp. have updated their menus.

The Cafe at the Pfister, in The Pfister Hotelat 424 E. Wisconsin Ave., and InterContinental Milwaukee at 139 E. Kilbourn Ave., announced new menus late last week in news releases.

The Cafe at the Pfister has new sandwiches, including a buttermilk fried-chicken sandwich and firecracker guacamole burger, along with dishes such as a Bavarian-style pretzel from Milwaukee Pretzel Co. and dessert shooters, small, mousse-like desserts. One unique item is the Memphis French Toast, “a deep-fried, cereal-coated croissant with peanut sauce and griddled bananas, served with housemade maple-bacon ice cream.”

New dishes at the InterContinental include seared diver scallop and pork belly duo, seared salmon tournedo and pear cake. The restaurant has increased its prep-work to serve diners who are heading to performances at nearby theaters more quickly, the release said.

The Pfister and the InterContinental are owned by Marcus Hotels & Resorts, part of Milwaukee-based Marcus Corp.

September 12, 2013 | Cmila Orti for KLKN-TV

News, Weather and Sports for Lincoln, NE; KLKNTV.com

Many hotels in the city are completely booked for the weekend, an inflow of room reservations brought on by the Pinnacle Bank Arena’s first concert Friday night and the Husker game Saturday.

General Manager of the Courtyard Marriott, located at 8th and R streets, says business is booming. The Courtyard Marriott is completely booked for almost every weekend of Husker football season.

“There’s a different vibe down here in the Haymarket area, so I think the hotels down here in the Haymarket area are holding their own and doing quite well,” Kalogeras said.

The concert announcements have been influential, too. Kalogeras says the Courtyard sold out of rooms for the Pink concert on Nov. 9 within just a few days.

Other hotels in the Capital City are seeing the same thing.

General Manager of the Cornhusker Hotel, Chuck Harper, says some guests prefer to be a little farther away from the action.

“We benefit from not being right down there, a lot of our guests want to be a little bit away from the Haymarket and all the activity,” Harper said.

The Cornhusker Hotel, located at 13th and L streets, has been a landmark in Lincoln for almost a century.

Harper says the city’s development is good for every hotel in town, including the Cornhusker.

“I just think it’s incredibly exciting, we get visitors all the time that are impressed by how many cranes are going on, the arena, all the new restaurants, the activity, so it’s putting Lincoln on the map,” Harper said.

It’s also putting smiles on the faces of those in the hotel business.

The Cornhusker Hotel celebrated the Grand Opening of its new restaurant, Miller Time Pub & Grill, Thursday with a block party.

Harper says the concept of the restaurant is to give customers great beer and food pairings in a laid back,

September 12, 2013 | David Schuyler for The Business Journal

Marcus Hotels and Resorts of Milwaukee has opened its second Miller Time Pub & Grill, following the concept’s original location in the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, at The Cornhusker, a Marriott Hotel in Lincoln, Neb.

The Cornhusker is majority owned and managed by Marcus Hotels and Resorts, a subsidiary of Milwaukee-based Marcus Corp. (NYSE: MCS). The hotel continues to undergo a major renovation, with Thursday’s Miller Time Pub opening the first of many additions to be completed, the company said.

“We have already received an outpouring of positive support from the community and we look forward to being a fixture on the Lincoln dining scene,” said Peggy Williams-Smith, corporate vice president, food and beverage, for Marcus Hotels.

The Miller Time Pub & Grill offers more than 20 specially crafted gourmet burgers, in addition to a variety of salads, entrées and desserts. It will also offer more than 50 varieties of beer and more than 20 draft beer options in an environment that features MillerCoors décor, including a collection of iconic memorabilia and artifacts, photos and vintage ads, as well as a retail area where guests can purchase MillerCoors and Miller Time Pub & Grill merchandise.

Marcus is looking at opening more Miller Time Pubs at Marcus hotels and also is exploring the possibility of taking the concept to locations outside of the company’s hotel properties, Williams-Smith told The Business Journal in July.

TEA BUTLER AT THE PFISTER HOTEL
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

From November through March, guests who make their way up to the 23rd floor of Milwaukee’s historic Pfister Hotel are treated to the soothing sounds of a live harpist, panoramic views of Lake Michigan, and an afternoon tea service. At the helm of this all-silver experience is Juan Rodriguez, The Pfister’s tea butler, who teaches guests about the nuances of their many varieties of tea, suggests food and flavor pairings, and personalizes the experience by blending the teas tableside.

“My most memorable tea service was doing a party for a couple who got engaged right there in front of all their family and friends,” Rodriguez says. “She said ‘Yes,’ and a year later they had their wedding here at The Pfister. They came back and celebrated their one-year anniversary in Blu.”

While Greg Marcus was a key driver of last year’s United Way of Greater Milwaukee campaign as one of its three co-chairs, this year he will support the campaign from an entirely different position – one that puts him behind the keys.

Marcus, president and chief executive officer of Milwaukee-based The Marcus Corporation, will play the piano alongside bassist John Price at The Pfister Hotel’s Blu every Tuesday in September and October in support of nonprofits like United Way.

The duo’s performances are part of the lounge’s “Celebrity BLUtender” program, in which 10 percent of proceeds from Blu’s sales benefit specified organizations on designated nights.

Celebrity “BLUtenders” representing the participating organizations man the bar at Blu, and tips they receive also go toward their cause.

Marcus and Price’s performance will benefit the United Way campaign as this year’s campaign co-chairs take over as BLUtenders on a select Tuesday, the date of which is still being determined. United Way is also encouraging company executives running internal campaigns in support of the nonprofit to sign up to “BLUtend” on an upcoming Tuesday in order to boost their own fundraising efforts.

Other charity initiatives will benefit from BLUtender during the musicians’ other Tuesday evening performances.

Marcus, who is on the United Way of Greater Milwaukee’s Board of Directors and who also serves on the organization’s campaign cabinet, has been playing piano since childhood and has a particular affinity for jazz.

“I grew up with it,” Marcus said. “My grandfather on my mom’s side was a really good jazz piano player, so I grew up with it. So I’ve always liked it.”

With his musical talent, Marcus has played at The Pfister Hotel’s Mason Street Grill, Shank Hall, Milwaukee’s Jazz in the Park, and at various fundraisers as part of The Jazz Corporation.

Along with Marcus, the music group is comprised of guitarist Bill Bonifas of CBRE and the Mark Thierfelder Jazz Trio.

At Blu, Marcus and Price, who is a member of the Mark Thierfelder Jazz Trio, will stick to a lineup of jazz songs to add to the ambiance of the lounge.

The two will play from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. each Tuesday to infuse some fun into a collection of good causes.

“I do it for fun, and if it helps people raise some money then it’s fantastic,” Marcus said.

The Pfister Hotel is located at 424 E. Wisconsin Ave. in downtown Milwaukee.