This won’t be your typical South Milwaukee Wednesday, not with the keg tapping of the Milwaukee County Traveling Beer Garden and the first of three Guardian Credit Union outdoor movies at the beach at Grant Park.
Flyers below.
With activities like these, Grant Park has an energy I have not seen in my 15 years in this city, and I bet for many years prior to that. It’s great to see.
Let’s tell the world, and support these events!
Filed under South Milwaukee
The next one is Thursday, June 15.
Thanks to First Congregational Church for organizing this. All are welcome!
Filed under South Milwaukee
From the South Milwaukee Police Department …
On Tuesday, June 6th, 2017, at approximately 0230 hours, SMPD responded to a 911 call from the victim of a vehicle vs. pedestrian accident at the intersection of 5th and Columbia Avenues.
The victim, a 35 year old South Milwaukee resident, was injured and transported to Froedert Hospital by SMFD for treatment of injuries, which are not believed to be life threatening at this time.
This incident is currently under investigation. The suspect vehicle is described as a dark in color, Chevy Cavalier-type car. The vehicle should have damage to the front hood of the car and windshield area. The public is encouraged to report any possible vehicles matching this description to the South Milwaukee Police Department.
Filed under South Milwaukee
I had the privilege last week to join in a ceremony at American Legion post 27 Van Eimeren-Kolonka honoring nearly 100 local Vietnam veterans as part of the 50th anniversary of the war.
What a special tribute for so many brave men and women, something made possible by the South Milwaukee Veterans Council and many more volunteers who recognized that we need to do more to recognize these heroes.
Well done, and thank you to all who served.
Filed under South Milwaukee
From the South Milwaukee Police Department …
On June 5, 2017, at approximately 4:27 p.m., SMPD responded to a single vehicle motorcycle crash at the intersection of 13th and Blake Avenues. The motorcyclist, a 43 year old South Milwaukee resident, was injured and was transported to Froedtert Hospital for treatment. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
The South Milwaukee Fire Department took the photos, as Flight for Life landed at Blakewood Elementary to transport the patient.
Thanks to all of the law enforcement agencies who responded to this terrible accident. Please keep the man and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Filed under South Milwaukee
One of my favorite events of the year!
What a terrific way to showcase our city, its homes, its gardens and, most importantly, its gardeners …
Indeed, it’s the people who make South Milwaukee beautiful.
Let’s celebrate them June 24!
Learn more on the Garden Club Facebook page.
Filed under South Milwaukee
Please join us for the South Milwaukee’s annual Flag Day ceremony on Wednesday, June 14, outside the Grobschmidt Senior Center.
The ceremony starts at 6 p.m. at the gazebo.
It will feature a flag retirement ceremony featuring local veterans and scouts, music from the South Milwaukee Municipal Band, and refreshments.
Rawson Elementary students will also read select writings answering this question: “What does the flag mean to you?”
See you there!
Filed under South Milwaukee
From the South Milwaukee Fire Department …
At approximately 7:08PM this evening, SMFD responded to 622 Montana Avenue for a reported house fire. Upon arrival, black smoke was issuing from the second floor windows and initial reports were that all occupants were out of the building. SMFD crews advanced a hoseline into the second floor and encountered a fire burning in a front bedroom. The fire was extinguished and the area was overhauled. Mutual aid was provided by the Cudahy, Saint Francis, Oak Creek and 128 ANG fire departments. The 2nd floor suffered moderate damage from the smoke and fire while the first floor received water damage from the extinguishment efforts. No injuries were reported and the fire remains under investigation.
Filed under South Milwaukee
It’s hard to believe this is the ninth season!
The South Milwaukee Downtown Market opens for 2017 on Thursday, June 1, and runs every Thursday 3 to 7 p.m. at 1101 Milwaukee Avenue in downtown South Milwaukee. Week one music is from the Wisconsin Academy of Music Jazz Ensemble.
From the market website …
Area residents looking for a unique shopping experience travel to downtown South Milwaukee, where they find an eclectic mix of merchants selling fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, flowers, art, jewelry and everything in between. They also find a sampling of area restaurants, live entertainment and special events, making the South Milwaukee Downtown Market a true destination for families, foodies and everyone in between.
It’s a simple yet ambitious vision – one we bring to life every week at the South Milwaukee Downtown Market. See for yourself, and join the dozens of local vendors and hundreds of regular customers who eagerly await each market.
It’s exciting to see how far the market has come since we launched it in 2009. See for yourself this and every Thursday this summer.
More details on the market Facebook page.
Filed under South Milwaukee
From the South Milwaukee Police Department …
Just a reminder that the SMPD is hosting another City Wide Block Watch Meeting this Thursday, June 1st @ 6:30. The event is once again in City Hall Council Chambers. In this meeting we will cover Opiates and Drug related crime. We will be having a special guest speaker, Investigator Rivamonte, who will be giving a presentation on opiates for you. I hope to see you all there!
We had a good turnout for the first of these meetings — please attend!
Filed under South Milwaukee
The South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center has announced its 2017-18 season series lineup, and it’s another terrifically unique collection of performers.
One reason I love that SMPAC is that it challenges our artistic sensibilities, broadening our horizons by bringing to town artists we may not otherwise get a chance to enjoy. From blues to community storytelling to swing to magic, this lineup does that.
The SMPAC is a competitive advantage for our city. Shows like this are why.
Subscriptions (four shows or more) are for sale, with individual tickets going on sale July 24. More details on the Performing Arts Series here.
From the press release …
Fri., Sept. 15, 7:30 pm – The Official Blues Brothers™ Revue
There have been many imitators, but there is only one duo in North America sanctioned by Dan Aykroyd and Judith Belushi to don the official hat and sunglasses and walk in the legendary footsteps of Jake and Elwood Blues. Discovered in Las Vegas, performers Wayne Catania and Kieron Lafferty capture the infectious humor and unbridled spirit of the Blues Brothers like no one since John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd walked the stage. Backed by a powerhouse band, they’ll give you a show to remember, packed with classic hits from the Blues Brothers catalog, including Soul Man, Rubber Biscuit, Sweet Home Chicago, and more. Join us pre-show in the lobby for our season premiere kick-off party and bring a few bucks for a pork sandwich before the show!
Thurs., Oct. 12, 7:30 pm – A.J. Croce in Croce: Two Generations of American Music
Adrian James Croce is a bluesman who performs primarily from the keyboard. His father was the artist responsible for Time in a Bottle (written for A.J.), Operator and Bad, Bad Leroy Brown. Two Generations of American Music presents a selection of A.J.’s own tunes alongside his father’s, plus vintage folk, blues, R&B and early rock ’n’ roll that inspired them both. A.J. honed his piano skills as a boy, while recovering from a brain tumor that left him partially blind. His career began at age 18 opening for B.B. King. Today, he strikes a fine balance between paying heartfelt homage to his father’s artistic legacy and injecting the songs with his own spin and personality. The performance will feature guitarist Michael Bizar, bassist David Barard and Tony Morra or Gary Mallaber on drums.
Fri., Nov. 17, 7:30 pm – Ex Fabula: Risking It
Ex Fabula is committed to strengthening community bonds through the art of storytelling. The organization was founded in 2009 when Adam Weise, Amy Schleicher, Leah Delaney, Matt Sabljak, and Megan McGee launched the storytelling series in Milwaukee. They agreed that true, personal stories have a unique power to create connections between individuals, and hoped to magnify that power through live events to provide meaningful local experiences. The fledgling organization was christened “Ex Fabula” – Latin for “from stories.” Risking It will feature Ex Fabula curated tellers, plus selected members of the community sharing their own true, personal stories. Community and student storytelling workshops will precede the event. While you may have attended an Ex Fabula StorySlam or workshop, or heard their radio show on WUWM, Risking It will feature stories never told before that you won’t want to miss!
Thurs., Dec. 7, 7:30 pm – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: Wild & Swingin’ Holiday Party
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy jazzes up the season with their patented Wild & Swingin’ Holiday Party, boasting both original tunes and their own smokin’ hot versions of Yuletide favorites from their album It Feels Like Christmas Time. Fans in search of toe-tapping, brass-honking, high-energy holiday swing revival need look no further. Dressed to the nines in their trademark zoot suits and brandishing upbeat favorites like Go Daddy-O and Mr. Pinstripe Suit, as well as holiday classics such as Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, Merry Christmas Baby, and All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth), be ready to celebrate this holiday in swingin’ style! They’ve sold out concerts from the Hollywood Bowl to Lincoln Center and appeared on TV shows from Leno to Conan, and Dancing with The Stars to Superbowl XXIII.
Fri., Jan. 26, 7:30 pm – Vitaly: An Evening of Wonders
Master illusionist Vitaly Beckman has mystified fans from all over the world, including Las Vegas superstars Penn & Teller whom he successfully fooled in their TV show, Fool Us. From bringing pictures and drawings to life, to erasing people from their own driver’s licenses, Vitaly’s signature illusions leaves even the most jaded audience awestruck. Vitaly breathes innovation and artistry into the field of magic. He invented and designed every single illusion in his stage show, An Evening of Wonders, treating spectators to a theatrical entertainment not seen anywhere else in the world. You will witness the elegant rendering of the impossible, while being charmed by Vitaly’s engaging personality. An Evening of Wonders is ideal for audiences ages 8 and up.
Fri., Feb. 16, 7:30 pm – Turtle Island Quartet: Bird’s Eye View, The Legend of Charlie Parker
Turtle Island Quartet has been a singular force in the creation of bold, new trends in chamber music for strings since 1985. They fuse the classical quartet esthetic with contemporary American musical styles in a way that honors both. In Bird’s Eye View, the two-time GRAMMY® winning Turtle Island Quartet pays homage to the visionary brilliance of jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker. The genius of his improvisations almost single handedly catapulted jazz from pop style into art music, indelibly altering the musical landscape of America. Iconic Charlie Parker classics such as Ornithology, KoKo and Dewey Square are juxtaposed with original responses by quartet members, and intertwined with other thematic pieces from the bebop era and beyond such as Sonny Rollins’ Airegin, Bird Calls by Charlie Mingus and Too High by Stevie Wonder.
Fri., March 16, 7:30 pm – Federspiel
Federspiel is a seven-piece ensemble comprised of all students of the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. They have utterly incredible technical skills combined with a youthful and charming freshness to their musical arrangements. Creativity, spontaneity and joy is high on the members of Federspiel’s list of priorities. Their particular style is defined by the origins and backgrounds of each individual musician and creates the unique sound of the band. Federspiel`s self-penned compositions contain pop-elements as well as arrangements of traditional Mexican music or the zither as a solo instrument. Some of their arrangements include percussive elements or even yodeling, which originated in the Alpine region of Austria, Federspiel’s home. Their genre of music doesn’t exist within the parameters of folk, world or traditional music, so the style of the ensemble is described best by the name: Federspiel or “feather game.”
Fri., April 13, 7:30 pm – Four Guyz in Dinner Jackets: Now in Technicolor
Wisconsin’s premiere four-part harmony group includes the sharp-suited foursome of Reginald T. Kurschner (high tenor), Don Lobacz (first tenor), Tommy Lueck (baritone), and Aaron Schmidt (bass) along with their live band. In Now in Technicolor, the Four Guyz revive musical memories from the 50s, 60s and 70s radio and TV. This high-octane show is delivered in the style expected from the Four Guyz, including charming choreography and comic banter. They’ve performed at numerous regional theatres throughout the midwest and appeared on Fox6’s WakeUp, WTMJ’s The Morning Blend, WISN’s Season To Celebrate Special, and WUWM’s Public Radio The Lake Effect.
Filed under South Milwaukee
Check out these South Shore headlines …
And here is the latest South Shore NOW police blotter.
Filed under South Milwaukee
South Milwaukee will honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice with the annual Memorial Day ceremony set for Monday, May 29.
At 10:35 a.m., there will be a procession from American Legion Post 27 to the Veterans Memorial at 10th Avenue north of Rawson.
A ceremony starts at 11 a.m., with a welcome, opening prayer, a guest speaker, guest singer of the National Anthem, laying of the wreaths, and a closing prayer.
Lunch will follow at the post, 920 Monroe Ave.
Thanks to the South Milwaukee Veterans Council for organizing this event. The council is a corporation of five chartered veterans service organizations in South Milwaukee: the American Legion Post 27, AmVets Post 4, Catholic War Veterans Post 672, Polish Legion of American Veterans Post 49, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3742.
Filed under South Milwaukee
There is something for kids of all ages at the South Milwaukee Public Library this summer. And it starts with the June schedule … 
Filed under South Milwaukee
So far, more than 1,100 people have responded to the community-wide survey on public safety. If you are one of those people, thank you. If you aren’t, there are still a few days left to share your thoughts.
You can take the survey online or by paper copy through this Friday, May 26:
Surveys were mailed to all city residents at the beginning of May. The unique code printed on the survey can be used only once. To obtain a second survey for another adult in your household, please call 768-8051.
The City of South Milwaukee is evaluating several funding options to maintain the first-class fire and police services residents have come to expect, and we need your feedback to determine how best to proceed with future budget decisions.
You can learn more about the challenges facing the city in my blog post from earlier this month. I also encourage you to read the assessment of public safety funding options, which we developed to provide additional details.
Your voice matters.
Filed under South Milwaukee
South Milwaukee Blog 