The South Milwaukee Music Parents Association is promoting a number of student musical performances starting tonight and running through March 23.
South Milwaukee NOW has all the details about “March Music Madness.”
Category Archives: Community
New Day For St. Adalbert’s?
A new church may be coming to the former home of St. Adalbert’s.
New Day Church — a non-denominational church that currently meets at Martin Luther High School in Greendale — is seeking a conditional use permit for the 2.79-acre property at 16th and Manitoba, as it continues to negotiate with Divine Mercy for purchase of the land and buildings.
According to a letter from Pastor Neal R. Letteney to Plan Commission members, plans include:
- Wednesday and Sunday worship;
- Adult and child Sunday school classes; and
- Adult classes on weekday mornings and evenings in association with Midwest Bible College (current enrollment: 63 students).
The pastor and his wife will live at the rectory, and the church offices will also be located on the property.
“We wish to return the facility to its former use as a church and school,” the pastor writes, and I’m happy to see the interest in the property. The merger of local Catholic parishes has left too many empty buildings around the area, including several in South Milwaukee. The faster we can see these properties come alive again, the better.
The former St. Mary’s hall is now home to a sports auction firm. And Max A. Sass & Sons Funeral Home is moving into the former school. So there’s some progress here, and that’s good news.
Learn more about New Day Church — which describes itself as a “modern, non-denominational church where you’re sure to fit right in” — here. And here is the Plan Commission agenda.
Would You Recommend South Milwaukee To A Friend?
It’s the type of question that often shows up on quality surveys — including at my full-time employer — and it does so because it gets to the heart of a matter.
Do you think highly enough of the city you live in to tell the world about it?
I’ve posed the question in a new poll. Please answer it … and comment, too. Would you recommend our city to a friend? Why? If not, why not?
By the way: I answered an emphatic “yes.”
South Milwaukee: Winter Wonderland
A view of Oak Creek, looking north from Rawson Avenue … South Milwaukee’s Fourth District is a beautiful place!
Snow Report: Plows Out, School Events On
A few items on today’s snowstorm …
- The Street Department tells me they began salting at 7 a.m. today, and, as of about 3 p.m., they had 16 trucks on South Milwaukee streets both plowing and salting, including alleys.
- After-school activities, including athletics, are on as scheduled tonight, according to the South Milwaukee School District.
- And here’s a reminder on snow removal ordinances. It’s a blog post from 2009, but it still applies. Here is the Street Department website.
Of course, I’d like to know what you’re experiencing. Post your comments below!
Filed under City Services, Community
Lessons From Tragedy: Channel 12 Takes A Closer Look At The Choking Game
The death of 12-year-old South Milwaukee boy Gage Witek last fall was terribly tragic. His father, however, hopes some good comes of it.
Craig Witek was one of several parents of choking game victims who spoke to Channel 12 for its feature on the activity that aired Monday. Check it out here. From it:
These families met as strangers, but embraced as friends as they started telling stories of their sons, and then began telling the stories no parent wants to tell: How their children died.
“I found my son with a (plastic) bag over his head and ligature around his neck,” Witek said.
He said that it was only after his son had died that he started to put the pieces together.
“When we found these belts, we came to the conclusion that he had been using ligatures for a while,” Witek said. “They didn’t leave any marks, no headaches or the bloodshot eyes.”
Please continue to keep all of these families in your prayers.
Be Like Mike, Buy A Cool T-Shirt And Help Out A Middle Schooler With Leukemia
Just got this email from South Milwaukee School District …
Attached you will find a t-shirt design for a t-shirt we are selling now ($10 per shirt – payable to SMHS) for an 8th grade student at the South Milwaukee Middle School named Michael Christensen.
The deadline for ordering the shirts is this Wednesday at noon. Read below for more info.
MIDDLE SCHOOL STAFF & STUDENTS – please contact guidance counselor Kelly Hruz for ordering them. She will also be selling orange & white wristbands soon for $2.00 with the words “Be Like Mike” and “#nevergiveup” on them as well (due in at the end of the week).
OTHER RECIPIENTS OF THIS EMAIL – please email me if you would like to order a shirt with size(s). I will be picking the shirts up on Wednesday, 2/13/13 and will have them in the athletic office for pickup or at the Boys’ Basketball games on 2/14/13.
SHIRT & WRISTBAND SALES – We will have a t-shirt order form available at the Rocket Girls’ Basketball games tomorrow (freshman at 4:15pm, JV at 5:45pm & Varsity at7:30pm) and will be selling wristbands at the basketball games next week.
ROCKET BOYS’ BB – THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14th
Show your heart on Valentine’s Day by purchasing a Be Like Mike shirt and wearing it to the Rocket Boys’ Basketball games on Thursday, February 14th against Brown Deer.
Here is the background information on why we are selling these shirts and wristbands.
BACKGROUND INFO
in the fall of 2010, the SM Boys Volleyball team did a fundraiser for the MACC Fund on behalf of Michael Christensen, the younger brother of Richard, a freshman volleyball player. As some of you know, Michael is now an 8th grader here at the South Milwaukee Middle School.
Here is some information passed along by Middle School Counselor Kelly Hruz about Michael’s situation.
Michael is a wonderful person with an amazing spirit. Michael was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) when he was 3. Michael received treatment and his cancer went into remission. In 2010, the Leukemia came back and after a long fight he was clear of cancer earlier this year. He stopped his last chemo treatment in August. Unfortunately, Michael found out last week that his Leukemia has come back. It is devastating to Michael and his family for the cancer to come back so quickly. Michael has already started chemo treatments 2 weeks ago and his family will have the consultation with doctors next week.
Even though Michael has not been a student here for a long time, he has made an impact on those who have met him.
If you are interested in following Michael’s progress, the family has asked that you visit the following site: www.caringbridge.org . Once there, type in michaelchristensen (all lower case, all one word).
Thanks,
Ante Udovicic & Kelly Hruz
An AFS Milestone: 60 Years Of Promoting Peace, One Student At A Time
I recently received an email from Stacy Benjamin Wood, an account manager manager for AFS-USA, calling out the 60th anniversary of the foreign exchange program in South Milwaukee.
She writes …
AFS USA (formerly the American Field Service) was founded during World Wars I and II by ambulance drivers, and continues now as a leader in international high school exchange. Over the years, 125 AFS exchange students from 51 different countries have experienced the hospitality of South Milwaukee. Likewise, 83 American students have brought a taste of Milwaukee to countries around the world. They and the network of volunteers who supported them, changed lives and the communities they came into contact with.
Learn more about AFS’ rich tradition in South Milwaukee on its local website. The site includes some great personal stories of local families who have hosted students, local students who have traveled abroad, and students who have come to South Milwaukee from foreign lands. After reading the testimonials, it’s clear to see how remarkable the program is.
Have you hosted an AFS student, who sent a student abroad? What was your experience like? Post your comments below!
Filed under Community
Few Odds And Ends … Then A Few Days Off
Here are a few odds and ends from around the city …
- Property taxes. Don’t forget that the first installment of your property taxes are due Thursday. You can view and print a copy of your tax bill, and check payment status, by clicking here.
- Fire captain. With the hiring of Joe Knitter as South Milwaukee’s permanent fire chief, the city has now posted its vacant fire captain position. Joe had held that job (as one of three captains) until he was named interim chief last year. I’m glad we’re filling it. It’s an important role. See the job advertisement here.
- Summer jobs for college students. Know a college student in need of summer employment? Are you one yourself? If so, visit City Hall, or call Jenny Maciejewski for more information at 414-768-8051. Applicants must be South Milwaukee residents.
- Chamber dinner. The South Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce has set the date for its Spring Social and awards banquet. It’s Friday, April 19 at Salvatore’s in South Milwaukee. Learn more about this terrific annual event here.
With that, I’m going to take a few days off from blogging, barring significant breaking news from South Milwaukee. I ask that you keep my grandmother in your prayers. She’s 96 and nearing the end of her long, rich life. A wonderful woman — she’ll be missed.
Filed under City Services, Community
Do Your Part: South Milwaukee Lions Blood Drive Coming Up
Here’s a quick shoutout regarding the South Milwaukee Lions Club blood drive on Wednesday, Feb. 13.
Donate from 2 to 6 p.m. at the South Milwaukee Lions-Knights of Columbus Hall, 732 Badger Ave.
You can set up an appointment beforehand online, but walk-ins are also welcome.
Learn more in this flier.
Happy Anniversary Season: South Milwaukee Little League Accepting Player Applications
The South Milwaukee Little League turns 60 years young this year.
My son, Christian, has been a part of the program for two years now, and not only has he developed skills on the field, he is developing life skills too — skills like humility, perseverance and work ethic.
I’d encourage every South Milwaukee boy or girl to play.
Player applications are now being accepted, and tryouts are in March.
Learn more on their website. Play ball!
Mark Your Calendars: South Milwaukee Spring Market Set For April 6
Update: Here is the Spring Market application.
The South Milwaukee Christmas Market was a big hit … and the summer season of the South Milwaukee Downtown Market begins on Thursday, May 23.
First, however, comes our Spring Market.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 6, when South Milwaukee High School again plays host to more than 60 vendors selling art, crafts, organics, baked goods, prepared foods and much, much more (including live entertainment). Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Look for more details soon … and thanks again for your support of the Downtown Market. Learn more on our website.
A Year In Blogging: Top 10 Posts In 2012
Thanks again to all the readers of South Milwaukee Blog!
2012 was the biggest year yet for this website, with 92,944 page views — nearly twice as many as 2011 — recorded, including 12,541 in September, the single most popular month for the blog since I launched it in 2009. In fact, the blog’s seven most highly trafficked months all occurred in 2012.
Here are the most-viewed posts from last year …
- Trick Or Treating Shifts To Halloween In South Milwaukee 1,546 page views
- Bottoms Up, South Milwaukee: What Do You Think? 1,459
- The Tragic Death Of Gage Witek 1,309
- This Is The Man Suspected In Friday’s Attempted Sexual Assault 770
- Look Closely: South Milwaukee Is All Over The New Aaron Rodgers-Ford Commercials 762
- Fatal Motorcycle Crash In South Milwaukee 697
- Grobschmidt Pool Scheduled To Open June 16 429
- Walmart Ground Broken 418
- South Milwaukee Heritage Days Schedule 397
- More Local Headlines 379
Again, thanks for turning to South Milwaukee Blog as a consistent source of local news and information … and be sure to tell your family and friends. I look forward to providing the service for years to come.
Happy New Year!
Filed under Community
I Like It! South Milwaukee On Facebook
South Milwaukee is officially on Facebook.
If you haven’t already done so, be sure to “like” the city’s page here … and check out the live feed on the city’s website.
A big thanks to City Clerk Jim Shelenske for making this happen. This is another tool we can use to keep residents informed on South Milwaukee news and information.
Filed under City Services, Community
Prayers
Another mass shooting. Another senseless tragedy.
Please keep Friday’s victims and their friends and families in your thoughts and prayers. And hold your kids a bit closer tonight. I know I will … because I know that could have been my kindergartner or second-grader at the end of that gun.
South Milwaukee Blog 