The Smithsonian may have his leather jacket, but Milwaukee may soon have all of the Fonz! Never underestimate the popularity of a 30–year–old TV pop cultural icon, but Fonzie fans from throughout the world are voicing their enthusiasm for the planned Fonzie statue for downtown Milwaukee. The project has the full support from Henry Winkler, the man behind the character, as well as “Happy Day’s” creator Garry Marshall. Winkler and other cast members plan to come to Milwaukee for the dedication, tentatively scheduled for fall 2008.

Since a lot of people have expressed a desire to contribute toward the approximately $85,000 cost to erect the statue, Brew City Promotions in Milwaukee have designed a special “Bronze the Fonz” t–shirt for $22, with $10 going toward the project. Click here to order.

Riverwalk location deemed most appropriate by site selection committee

MILWAUKEE * Mar. 5, 2008 * When a life–size statue of Fonzie, the iconic TV character from the show “Happy Days,” portrayed by Henry Winkler, is dedicated this summer in Milwaukee, it will call the Rock Bottom Brewery’s Riverwalk location home. The bronze Fonz will be situated on the south end of Rock Bottom’s outdoor seating area (on the west side of the river, just south of Wells Street) and set against the backdrop of the Milwaukee River.

A number of Riverwalk locations were scouted to determine the best fit for the statue. The site committee consisted of Dave Fantle, VISIT Milwaukee, Dean Amhaus, the Spirit of Milwaukee, Marsha Sehler, the Riverwalk District, Beth Nicols, the Downtown Milwaukee BID, Stacie Callies, Westown Association, Kate Borders, East Town Association, Gerald Sawyer, the project sculptor and David Gordon, former head of the Milwaukee Art Museum.

“The Fonz embodies fun and we thought siting the project next to a Microbrewery is fitting and will generate additional foot traffic for the Riverwalk and throughout downtown,” said Stacie Callies, executive director, Westown Association. “The location will also provide an attractive photo opportunity that will showcase the city via countless posts on the web.”

Rick Mitchell owns River Bank Plaza, the building that houses the Rock Bottom Brewery. The Rock Bottom management was excited to host the Fonz, said Mitchell, as it gives the statue a “recognizable” location and blends in perfectly with the Brew Pub theme of the restaurant. “When visitors want to find the Fonz, the Rock Bottom location will provide that instant point of reference. Brew City and the Fonz go hand–in–hand.”

The statue is tentatively planned to be dedicated on Tuesday, Aug. 19 with Winkler and most of the “Happy Days” cast in attendance. A public event is being planned as part of the dedication ceremony.

With funding secure, project turns to benefit a Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee literacy program.

MILWAUKEE – Jan. 25, 2008 – With funding for the bronze life–like statue of Henry Winkler as his iconic TV character Fonzie, from the hit series “Happy Days” now secure thanks to a commitment from the cable network, TV Land, the project is moving into a new community benefit direction thanks to an innovative and fun promotion at all Milwaukee–area Culver’s restaurants.

At a Milwaukee news conference today at the Culver’s restaurant in the Shops at Grand Avenue in downtown Milwaukee, attended by Winkler, Culver’s co–founder Craig Culver, announced that for a limited time, starting Feb. 1, Culver’s will donate $1 for every Turtle Sundae ordered at its 41 Milwaukee area restaurants to SPARK (Spheres of Proud Achievement in Reading for Kids.)

The goal is to raise $10,000 which will be presented to the Boys & Girls Clubs and UW–Milwaukee at the statue dedication, tentatively set for late summer or early fall in Milwaukee.

SPARK is a program coordinated by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee in partnership with the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. The program operates in grades K–3 at six Milwaukee school sites, including four public schools, a parochial school and a MPS charter school. The focus is on supporting reading achievement through key "spheres" determined through research to be important to student success: school, community and family.

Winkler was in Milwaukee to deliver a keynote address to the 87th State Education Conference. John Ashley, executive director of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB), a sponsor of the convention, participated in the announcement and said SPARK’s mission aligns with the WASB’s focus on leadership because the organization provides an example of citizen, community and business support for student achievement.

“We’d like to thank the Wisconsin Association of School Boards for bringing SPARK to our attention,” said Craig Culver. “While the Culver’s restaurant concept embodies the fun “happy days” of good times and good food, it’s extra special that we can support the crucial work SPARK and the Boys and Girls Clubs are doing to improve student achievement through developing proficient reading skills.”

Patricia Marcus, director of the two–year–old SPARK program said, “We’re so pleased that the Wisconsin Association of School Boards paired us with Culver’s to raise the needed funds to support our program and help raise the literacy level among our Milwaukee children. Mr. Winkler’s advocacy for children and affection for Milwaukee makes this even more special.”

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BRONZE FONZ / ADD ONE

Winkler, who has used his childhood learning challenges as a basis of his series of best–selling children’s books entitled, “Hank Zipzer: The World’s Greatest Underachiever,” expressed his delight in learning about the new direction of the bronze the Fonz project. “What a wonderful idea to have the bronze raise money to help others,” said Winkler, a staunch advocate for children’s issues. “It gives the project a meaning, a depth that makes me proud.”

In addition to the Culver’s promotion, while supplies last, $10 for every bronze the Fonz t–shirt sold at www.bronzethefonz.com will also go to SPARK.

Check this site regularly for updates on the Fonz in bronze project!