Category Archives: Community

by | July 25, 2013 · 11:49 pm

Next Up: Lionsfest

Evening on the Avenue is in the books, and it looked to be another big South Milwaukee Heritage Days success.

Next up: Lionsfest. Here’s a quick summary of the schedule …

  • Friday: Fish fry, cruise and car show and music (Cheap Shots, 4 to 8 p.m., and Caught in the Act, 8 p.m. to midnight). And don’t forget the all-class reunion for South Milwaukee High School.
  • Saturday: Rib dinner and music (Kool Grey, 1 to 4 p.m.; Jamit, 4 to 8 p.m.; and Mount Olive, 8 p.m. to midnight)
  • Sunday: It’s Kids Day, with cookie decorating, a visit from the Racing Sausages, a magic show, face painting, a penny scramble and a chance to win two bicycles. There’s also the famous Lions chicken dinner and music (Chuck Travis Band, noon to 4 p.m., and Ricochettes, 4 to 8 p.m.)

See the full schedule here, and I’ll hopefully see you there. As a new member of the South Milwaukee Lions, I’ll be volunteering throughout the weekend.

And don’t forget about Saturday’s parade and the duck race. See my previous post for more details.

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by | July 24, 2013 · 9:49 pm

Heritage Days In Full Swing With Evening On The Avenue, Lionsfest, The Big Parade And More

SpaghettiFrom the vantage point of the soda table — where Trinity Lutheran Church volunteers served thirsty guests — Wednesday’s South Milwaukee Fire Department Spaghetti Dinner looked to be a huge success.

And South Milwaukee’s Heritage Days celebration is just getting started.

Thursday, it’s Evening on the Avenue. Friday through Sunday, it’s Lionsfest. Saturday, it’s the Heritage Days parade and the duck race.

My previous post has a full schedule. Hope to see you around the next few days!

(In fact, I’ll be walking the parade route handing out flyers promoting this blog. Say hi if you see me.)

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by | July 23, 2013 · 10:05 pm

Reading Rocks: South Milwaukee Library Issues Annual Report

When I think of the first-class city services we provide in South Milwaukee, I put our library at the top of that list.

My wife and kids love it and are regular visitors. They’re not alone. The library attracted nearly 75,000 visitors in 2012 … and circulated more than 172,000 items last year. Those are just two of the stats in the library’s 2012 annual report. See it here. Some other numbers:

  • 121,146: The size of the library’s book collection at the end of last year
  • 62,707: The number of e-books in the collection
  • 27,711: The number of questions answered by the reference desk in 2012
  • 11,826: The number of residents with library cards

Thanks to Library Director Bob Pfeiffer and his hard-working team at the library!

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by | July 23, 2013 · 9:38 pm

Lionsfest Features All-Class Reunion Friday

South Milwaukee’s Heritage Days culminates with Lionsfest, the three-day celebration featuring a wide range of events and activities.

Check out the full schedule here, and I hope to see you around this weekend.

Of note Friday night, it’s an all-class reunion for South Milwaukee High School. Here is information from Leslie Henry …

Friday, July 26, the South Milwaukee Alumni Association Steering Committee will host an all class reunion beginning at 6 p.m. at the South Milwaukee Lions fest Heritage Days.  The celebration will be an informal event for individuals to casually run into classmates from all graduating years.  Individuals attending can check in at the welcome table in the food tent, look at memorabilia, look at rocket wear, and obtain a name tag and coupons for use at Lion’s fest for Friday.  Please come out and join the event, visit with classmates and have a great time reminiscing about your favorite Rocket town memories.

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by | July 21, 2013 · 6:30 pm

Fun In Faith: Looking For A Vacation Bible School Home?

I know a number of area churches offer Vacation Bible School programs, but I’m going to plug one in particular because I know it will be a terrific time for all involved.

Trinity Lutheran Church in South Milwaukee (my church) is offering VBS from Monday, July 29, through Friday, August 2, from to 9 to 11:30 a.m. each day. Classes are available for 3-year-olds through fifth-graders. The theme this year: “Everywhere Fun Fair.”

There is still time to sign up, whether you are a church member or not. Applications are due by Wednesday, July 24.

To register, contact Trinity at 762-6626 or stop by the church at 2507 5th Ave.

I’ve been a Trinity member for a number of years now, and I continue to be impressed with its family-friendliness, Christ-centeredness and community commitment. VBS is just one example of this. Learn more here.

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by | July 20, 2013 · 4:22 pm

Foreclosures In South Milwaukee

South Milwaukee is far from alone in having problems with foreclosed properties.

They can hurt entire neighborhoods — and can be found across the city.

Check out Zillow’s list of South Milwaukee properties in foreclosure here. A few examples …

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by | July 18, 2013 · 6:51 pm

On To Regionals: South Milwaukee Little League Team Makes History

South Milwaukee’s boys of summer aren’t done yet.

The South Milwaukee Little League intermediate boys team (ages 11-13) beat West Bend Tuesday night to win the state title and advance to the Central Regional tournament in Millwood, Mich., this weekend. This puts them a few wins away from qualifying for the national tournament in San Francisco later this month.

This is a big deal. How big? It’s the first time in 35 years that any South Milwaukee Little League boys team at any level has advanced to regional competition.

The Little League intermediate level is designed to help older boys better transition from “traditional” Little League – those competing to play in the ESPN-televised World Series in Williamsport, Penn., each year – to more advanced levels like high school.

The team needs your help. They are seeking to raise money for the additional travel expenses.

Those interested in helping can contact Madeline McCarrier at 414-429-0001 or at madeemac@yahoo.com.

Here is the tournament bracket. Go South Milwaukee!

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by | July 16, 2013 · 9:56 pm

8 Ways To Stay Cool, South Milwaukee

Looking to beat the heat this week? Here are a few local ideas …

Did I miss any? Post your comments!

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by | July 15, 2013 · 4:46 pm

“Jungle Book” Comes To Town

Putting in a quick plug for this Saturday’s South Milwaukee Youth Theatre presentation of “The Jungle Book” at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center.

Show times are 1 and 6 p.m.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-17  (under 5 are free), and they can be purchased at the show or at the PAC box office this week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

I hope to see you there — because my five-year-old is the Baby Elephant!

(Also, the SMYT seniors put on the “Little Mermaid” July 26-28.)

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by | July 11, 2013 · 11:11 pm

Good Food: South Milwaukee’s Free Summer Lunch Program

Just a reminder about the terrific program providing free lunches to area children at South Milwaukee High School and Lakeview Elementary this summer. For adults, it’s only $2.

The Summer Food Service Program, funded by the federal Department of Agriculture, is administered by the state.

Locally, the lunches are well attended. That’s according to my wife, who has been taking advantage of them frequently this summer following my son’s summer school classes.

Of course, for us, it’s more of a convenience. For others, these lunches are critical. South Milwaukee has a number of families struggling financially. Programs like this make their lives a little easier.

The Lakeview lunches run through July 25. The high school lunches run through August 2.

Learn more here.

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by | July 6, 2013 · 6:12 pm

Making Sweet Music: South Milwaukee Farmers’ Market Concert Announcement

To anyone who has attended the South Milwaukee Downtown Market, you know music is important to us.

We want to deliver an experience that goes beyond shopping — truly an event that people look forward to every week.

That starts with music … and brings me to the news.

The South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center is bringing three concerts to the market, with the first one this Thursday, July 11.

All three acts are truly unique:

  • July 11: Brett Newski. Newski is an indie pop singer, songwriter and guitarist from Saigon, Vietnam, whose most recent album “Tiny Victories” includes songs and tales from that country. He has been touring Vietnam on his Folk Catastrophe Tour, a benefit for disaster relief in the U.S. http://brettnewski.com/
  • August 8: Jim Green. Green is a Guitar Idol champion and was voted one of the “best artists in the Midwest” by Billboard Magazine. His music has been licensed by United Church of Christ and used in documentaries, such as “Innocence Abandoned: Street Kids of Haiti.” www.jimgreenmusic.com
  • August 15: OPUS Jazz Band. An icon of Wisconsin jazz, the band was founded more than 30 years ago and nominated for a 2013 Wisconsin Area Music Industry award for “best jazz group.” OPUS has shared the stage with jazz artists like Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard, Pat Metheny, Spyro Gyro, Bill Bruford and many others. http://www.opusjazzband.com/

Of course, these performances are in addition to our regular weekly music.

Learn more in this press release, and see you at the market!

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by | July 6, 2013 · 8:58 am

A Chance To Do Your Part For Grant Park

Grant Park is a wonderful asset for South Milwaukee — but we need to be active caretakers of it, too.

You have a chance to do just that on Tuesday, July 9. That’s when the Alliance for the Great Lakes is looking for volunteers to help with a habitat assessment and restoration effort.

Learn more in this event alert. From it:

As a volunteer, you will help reduce the threats to this important natural area by conducting habitat assessments and on-the-ground restoration. Volunteers will learn skills needed to collect field data to inform future restoration planning, monitor ongoing restoration projects and protect habitats by removing invasive plants and planting native species.

Two shifts are available: 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Meet at the Grant Park beach parking lot.

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by | July 5, 2013 · 10:17 am

Celebrating July 4th In South Milwaukee: So, What Do You Think?

I had a great time at yesterday’s July 4th celebration at Grant Park, but I’m wondering — is there any way to make it better?

So I ask you, readers: What suggestions do you have to improve the city’s Independence Day celebration? Or is it just fine the way it is?

Post your comments below!

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by | June 29, 2013 · 11:02 am

Celebrating July 4 In South Milwaukee

July 4 is one of my favorite holidays, and in South Milwaukee it’s all about Grant Park.

As usual, festivities start at 10 a.m. with the children’s bike parade, with games, food, beer, music and more scheduled the rest of the day at Brown Pavilion, picnic areas five and six. Fireworks start around 9:30 a.m.

Learn more here.

Here is a full list of area July 4 festivities, and check out a Grant Park map.

The South Milwaukee Fire Department also has some firework safety tips.

Happy Independence Day!

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