Hundreds took the time to provide their ideas for names of a new vessel that helps clean area rivers and Lake Michigan. But only one could win the grand prize.

OnMilwaukee.com was a proud presenter of the contest, and we're here to tell you that Jerome Vogedes of Milwaukee won the contest.

His winning name? Lynrd Skymmr.

This summer, Lynrd will clean up thousands of pounds of garbage, tree branches and logs helping to create a positive experience for tourists and residents who visit the the shops, restaurants, theaters, hotels and bars located on or near the water around Downtown Milwaukee.

Congrats, Jerome.

If you missed last week's "Top Global Trends Affecting Downtowns" breakfast at The Pfister you missed a lot. The event, presented by Milwaukee Downtown, the Business Improvement District serving the greater Downtown neighborhood, was high energy, upbeat and strategic.

Downtown Milwaukee is the economic and creative heart of the state. As it goes, Wisconsin goes. Make no mistake about it. So, Brad Segal, founder and president of Progressive Urban Management Associates (P.U.M.A.) – a consulting firm providing management, marketing and financial services to advance downtown and community development; presented "The Top Ten Global Trends Affecting Downtowns and How To Respond in Milwaukee" at this symposium held at The Pfister Hotel on May 17.

The event also introduced a new mission and vision for Milwaukee Downtown. It's one that I can say I had a small part in and am very proud of. The new mission is this, "We lead and inspire believers in Milwaukee to engage in efforts to build Downtown as the thriving, sustainable, innovative and vibrant heart of the community."

Our Downtown's new vision? "Milwaukee Downtown is an economic catalyst. Downtown emerges as a premier destination of choice. Milwaukee becomes a renowned world-class city." Boom! These are great. Hats off to executive director Beth Nicols and her board and committees (yes, I am a member). These are big and bold. It's what Downtown and Milwaukee need.

Back to the event. The in-depth hour long session reviewed demographic, lifestyle and economic shifts that are changing American cities. These include the emergence of young professional women in the workplace, shifts in transportation and mobility (driving is declining, real estate in walkable areas is rising), an increase in healthier food options including urban farming, continued desires for interesting entertainment (the consultant was adamant that Downtown needed a new, modern sports and entertainment arena) and the rise of a planeta…

Bars, beer and cheer are a strong part of our area's culture. To an outsider, many just know Milwaukee for our beer. That's fine. Reality is, though, that our beer and bars are just a entry point for all the amazing things the area has to offer.

Yet, it's always refreshing to read an outsider's view of our fine city. And again today a national source, this time Esquire, has put Milwaukee on a nice pedestal. We're the 2012 "Bar City of the Year."

In its words, the article opens, "It's another addition to our catalog of the best places to have a drink in America. As always, the project is guided by David Wondrich: Esquire's drinks correspondent, the world's foremost cocktail historian, and the best drinking partner anyone has ever had."

Wondrich points to many great Milwaukee spots like Distil, My Office, The Knight's Bar, Koz's Mini Bowl, Wolski's Tavern, Old German Beer Hall and others.  

Read his entire piece here, and share the news with others.  It's a nice feather in our tourism hat (or mug, in this case, I guess). Cheers!

I told you earlier this month that Bartolotta Restaurants plans to open its Northpoint Custard stand for the season on May 17.  They did just so.

But, this weekend they'll go above and beyond by giving away free burgers to the first 200 people in line beginning at 10:30 a.m.

In addition, the building has new pink cow spots to celebrate the company's Care-A-Lottas charity arm that will co-chair the 2012 Race For A Cure Southeast Wisconsin event on Sept. 23 along Milwaukee's lakefront. 

Joe and Jennifer Bartolotta will use their voices to raise awareness and lead a team of more than 500 employees, friends and family who will raise funds and participate in the event.  Additionally, Northpoint Custard will offer an exclusive beverage all summer called Komen-Ade.  It's a pink lemonade, and all proceeds will be donated to Komen.  

Northpoint Custard also will serve as a hub for free breast health and screening information for visitors throughout the 2012 summer season.