Author Archives: Erik Brooks

Happy to see this really cool outdoor light show return in October. Shows began last weekend and continue throughout the month. Definitely worth a visit!

From the Lights on Edgewood Facebook page …

Halloween 2024 is here! We are so excited to be back. Here’s our schedule:

• Friday October 11: 7PM
• Saturday October 12: 7PM
• Sunday October 13: 7PM
• Friday October 18: 7PM
• Saturday October 19: 7PM
• Sunday October 20: 7PM
• Friday October 25: 7PM
• Saturday October 26: 6 – 8PM – Trick or Treat block party
• Sunday October 27: 7PM
• Thursday October 31: 7PM (Halloween)

All shows will last approximately 30 minutes (except for October 26).

Our show is located at 1322 Edgewood Avenue in South Milwaukee. Weather permitting, we will have speakers outside so you can stand across the street or sit at the edge of the yard/driveway and enjoy the show. If you want to stay in your vehicle, you can tune to 101.5 FM to hear the music on your radio. Please do not block driveways or any passing traffic and stay to the side of the road.

For your safety, please do not wander into the display as there are wires along the ground that could be tripping hazards.

We are once again collecting donations in the form of non-perishable food and pantry items for South Milwaukee Human Concerns. There will be a collection bin at the end of the driveway.

The playlist for each show will be different so come back to see us as many times as you can for the full experience. Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you! Happy Halloween!

One year, four new downtown murals. With the ribbon cutting last week of two new works, public art has come to South Milwaukee’s downtown like never before.

And it would not have happened without the hard work of people committed to reinvigorating our city center. A special shoutout to Growing South Milwaukee, which, through volunteers, planned, fundraised for, and (in partnership with several talented local artists) brought to life amazing murals outside Sorce Martial Arts, Immortal Toys and Collectables/ChowChow Treats and Bakery, and Parkway Floral in the past year — the latter two just last week. With more to come!

Learn more about Growing South Milwaukee on Facebook here.

To the City of South Milwaukee, the mural you commissioned outside South Milwaukee Human Concerns is equally as beautfiul.

And to the Bucyrius Foundation, whose funds have helped contribute toward all of this, thank you. The impact this foundation is having on our city is just getting started, and it will be felt for generations.

I can’t wait to see what work of art is coming to downtown South Milwaukee next!

From the City of South Milwaukee …

Update on Marquette Avenue Water Main Break 

The water main break as been fixed, but Marquette is still closed from 12th Avenue to the railroad bridge due to road damage caused by the break.

Here’s what’s happening next:

• Today: Our Water/Wastewater Department is replacing the concrete under the asphalt.
• Tomorrow: A contractor will start removing the damaged asphalt.
• Wednesday: Asphalt replacement is scheduled (if all goes as planned).

Once the road work is complete, we’ll reopen the road. Thank you for your patience!

It’s that time of year again …

And might I suggest you just mulch? 🙂 I reshare the case I made in 2016 here.

Otherwise, here is information on the city’s collection process. Happy fall!

South Milwaukee lost a dedicated community servant — and great woman — recently.

Rest in peace, Bernice Czarnezki. From her obituary …

A lifelong advocate for service, Bernice volunteered tirelessly for numerous organizations. She served as an alderperson and poll worker, assisted with South Milwaukee flu clinics, and organized the Tuesday dance for seniors for 25 years. At the Milwaukee Airport, she welcomed travelers as a greeter at the Travelers Aid station. Her commitment to her community extended to South Milwaukee High School, the Performing Arts Center, and the Trinity Memorial Hospital Advisory Board, among others.

In 2018, Bernice was honored by the Mayor of South Milwaukee for over 40 years of distinguished service. A dedicated member of the South Shore Lions Club, she served as treasurer and received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award for her humanitarian efforts. She was also recognized as Citizen of the Year by the 128th Air Refueling Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard and acknowledged by the SE Suburban Unit of the Wisconsin Democratic Party for her unwavering commitment.

From that proclamation in 2018, when I was proud, as mayor, to recognize Bernice for her 46 years of service to the City of South Milwaukee:

WHEREAS, the City of South Milwaukee relies on the participation of its citizens in the many and varied volunteer opportunities in our community, and is proud to celebrate our board and commission members and others who give of their time and talents every day to make our city a better place; and

WHEREAS, Bernice Czarnezki is worthy of special acclaim due to her longstanding and distinguished service to the city; and

WHEREAS, Bernice has volunteered her service to South Milwaukee in a number of ways for more than four decades. She has served as a member of the Board of Appeals since 1973, was a Second District Alderperson from February 1992 to April 1993, and was a pollworker for many years, to name a few; and

WHEREAS, such devoted service to the community should be acknowledged and praised.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Mayor Erik Brooks and the Common Council of the City of South Milwaukee, extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks to Bernice Czarnezki for her 46 years of service to the City of South Milwaukee, and thank her for all of her contributions to our community both past, present, and into the future.

Every weekend seems to bring big special events in and around South Milwaukee. Love it!

See the full list of South Milwaukee events on my Events page.

• Thursday, October 3: Downtown Market-Music by ELVIS (last market). 3-7 p.m., Bucyrus Commons. Details
• Saturday, October 5: Fall Craft & Vendor Fair, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., First Congregational UCC Church. Details
• Sunday, October 6: Friends of Grant Park Trek ‘n Treat, 1-4 p.m., Grant Park Area 5. Details
• Sunday, October 6: Rotary Club of Mitchell Field Food Truck Frenzy, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Milton Vretnar Memorial Park, Saint Francis. Details

Get the full listing on my Events page. See you around town!

• Thursday, September 26: Family Fall Festival at the Downtown Market+Northliners (country). 3-7 p.m., Bucyrus Commons. Details
• Thursday, September 26: South Milwaukee Homecoming Parade, 6 p.m. Route: Starts at 15th and Maple Avenues, north on 15th Avenue to Oak Creek Parkway. Pep rally and bonfire follow near 15th and Oak Creek Parkway. Details
• Friday, September 27: South Milwakee Homecoming football game. 7 p.m. Details
• Saturday, September 28: The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, 7 p.m., South Milwaukee PAC. Details

The Mary statute is back home at Divine Mercy Parish.

From the South Milwaukee Police Department …

After thirteen months, the Virgin Mary statue stolen from Divine Mercy in August of 2023 was recovered by Officers Wentz, Harnen, and Horsley. It was returned to Divine Mercy staff. We’re glad to have returned it to where it belongs. Two suspects have been identified and are cooperating with our investigation.

Confirmed on Divine Mercy’s Facebook page …

Many Thanks to the South Milwaukee Police Department and to the community for all of your prayers! The statue of our Blessed Mother has been recovered and returned today!

Get the most updated information on my Events page!

More details here.

More details here.

From the Strong Towns South Milwaukee event page … Park(ing) Day is an international event that temporarily reimagines our streets as places that prioritize people! Join us as we bring the northwoods to Milwaukee Avenue.

The event is the latest effort from the local chapter of the Strong Towns movement. I’m a believer.

This and every third Thursday. So happy to see this tradition continue, and thankful for the folks at First Congregational and all of the organizations that provide the meals.

Sponsored

What a lineup! And it starts tonight with the Downtown Market and the one-year anniversary of a really cool local business. See you around town.

Check out my Events page for the most updated information. And let me know if I missed something!

• Thursday, September 12: Downtown Market-Music by Sinsations (Classic Rock). 3-7 p.m., Bucyrus Commons. Details
• Thursday, September 12: Rosenquist Fine Art One-Year Anniversary, 6-8:30 p.m. Details
• Saturday, September 14: Fire & Police Department Safety Display, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., South Milwaukee McDonald’s. Details
• Thursday, September 19: Downtown Market-Music by Saw Dust Symphony (American New Grass). 3-7 p.m., Bucyrus Commons. Details
• Friday, September 20: Chip for the Arts, South Milwaukee PAC golf outing, Grant Park. Details
• Saturday, September 21: Divine Mercy Fall Festival 1-7 p.m., Divine Mercy. Details.
• Sunday, September 22: Flip Side | Festival of the Arts, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Bucyrus Commons. Details
• Thursday, September 26: Family Fall Fest at the Downtown Market+Northliners (country). 3-7 p.m., Bucyrus Commons. Details
• Thursday, September 26: South Milwaukee Homecoming Parade, 6 p.m. Route: Starts at 15th and Maple Avenues, north on 15th Avenue to Oak Creek Parkway. Pep rally and bonfire follow. Details
• Friday, September 27: South Milwakee Homecoming football game. 7 p.m. Details
• Saturday, September 28: The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, 7 p.m., South Milwaukee PAC. Details

Sponsored

Please help the Braatz family! My daughter is friends with one of the kids, and they need us now.

From the GoFundMe page …

Scott and Korie Braatz and their 5 children lost a large portion of their belongings to a house fire last night on Marion Ave in South Milwaukee. Two cats and a dog lost their lives as well. What wasn’t damaged by fire, was damaged by water, or torn up to access the fire.

Trying to raise funds to help them as they wait for insurance and trying to cover any gaps.

From the South Milwaukee Fire Department …

Please keep this family in your prayers … and I will share information on how to help as soon as I know it.