Category Archives: South Milwaukee

Milestone: 400 Wins For Coach Galewski

Congratulations to South Milwaukee baseball coach John Galewski, whose Rockets recorded his 400th win on Monday!

South Milwaukee is also contending for its first conference title since 2000. From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story

“I was hoping they didn’t because we’re chasing a conference championship,” Galewski said. “I know they know about that, so that’s more important.”

It looked like the Rockets were unaware after their 4-0 victory over Shorewood behind pitcher Matt McCarty’s two-hitter on Monday at Henry Aaron Field.

There were the usual handshakes, but nothing out of the ordinary.

“Yeah, we all knew,” McCarty said. “We talked about it on the bus on the way here and maybe doing something if we got the win.”

So, as Galewski was being interviewed near his dugout, two players dumped the Gatorade bucket on their unsuspecting coach.

“It’s a real honor to play for him,” said South Milwaukee’s Anthony Marlowe, who had two brothers and a cousin compete in the program.

Only 14 coaches in summer baseball have more victories than Galewski (400-388), who is in his 27th season.

“It’s really about the history of the kids that have gone through the program,” Galewski said. “My son played for me. There’s some emotion there.”

Added McCarty: “It’s so awesome to know I could give my coach his 400th win. It’s a great achievement for him and the program.”

Here is the team’s schedule the rest of the way.

WIAA regionals begin next Tuesday.

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Next Chance To Meet The Mayor: Saturday At Max A. Sass & Sons

Just a quick reminder that my next Meet the Mayor session is this Saturday at Max A. Sass & Son Funeral and Cremation Services.

I hope to see you between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. No topic is off limits.

Thanks to Mike Kremski and everyone at Max A. Sass, 1314 Manitoba Ave. in the former St. Mary’s School, for hosting this. Next up: Saturday, August 16, at Moxie Fitness, 1234 Milwaukee Ave.

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Council Update: Investing In Infrastructure

Recapping last Monday’s special South Milwaukee City Council meeting, primarily held to ensure two late-filing local bars get their liquor licenses in time to stay open effective July 1 … which they did.

Topping the agenda was approval by the council to move ahead with significant road projects, including …

  • Advertising for bids for reconstruction of 17th Avenue between Milwaukee and Rawson later this summer.
  • Spending more than $485,000 for various asphalt pavement repairs. In all, at least 59 areas throughout the city were identified as needing repair, some with longstanding issues and some due to the terrible winter. About 25 of the repair areas are “frost boils,” while the others are deteriorated asphalt.
  • The council also voted to spend $93,350 to synchronize the traffic lights on Rawson Avenue, which is great news for people (like me) who drive this road often. A federal grant is covering $57,000 of the construction costs.

The council also gave final approval to an ordinance banning rummage sales downtown — on Milwaukee Avenue between Ninth and 13th and 10th Avenue between Rawson and Marquette.

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Filed under City Council, South Milwaukee

July 4th Celebration: What Did You Think?

So, we tried a few new things at this year’s July 4th celebration, including the Mayor’s Picnic (free lunch for all attendees) and the addition of bouncy houses.

Just wondering … what did you think of the event this year? What should we consider adding in 2015, or taking away? Any other changes we should consider?

Post your comments below!

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Filed under Community, South Milwaukee

Join Us For A Fun 4th!

Looking forward to seeing folks at the new-and-improved July 4th celebration at Grant Park tomorrow …

See the full schedule and more information here and here.

The day starts around 10 a.m. with the bike judging and continues with games, the penny scramble, bouncy houses, and the Mayor’s Picnic (free lunch for all attendees) — ending with fireworks around 9:30 p.m.

Thanks again to our sponsors:

  • TASC Services, which has donated to make the free the lunch happen;
  • Max A. Sass Funeral & Cremation Services, which is supporting the bouncy houses; and
  • Emerald City Catering, which is serving the lunch and offering food and drink sales all day down at Picnic Areas 5 and 6.

P.J.’s Variety Store will also be there selling candy, and there will be free temporary tattoos for the kids, courtesy of the South Milwaukee Rec Department. And we’ll have DJ music throughout much of the day.

It should be a fun time, with great weather. I hope you can make it!

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Filed under Community, Parks, South Milwaukee

Up For A Nice Walk Through Town?

Here’s a good opportunity to get a weekly walk in this summer …

Alderpersons Lisa Pieper and Joe Bukowski are leading a series of walks from City Hall to the South Milwaukee Downtown Market each Thursday starting July 17. Meet at City Hall at 6 p.m.

Here is the flyer.

Thanks to Alderwoman Pieper for leading this initiative and for the support of the South Milwaukee Fire and Health Departments in making it happen!

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More On The AMF South Park Closure: What Was Your Favorite Memory?

It’s clear that AMF South Park Lanes has a special place in many hearts in South Milwaukee and the South Shore. With 60 years of history in this city, it’s no surprise.

I’m wondering — what’s your favorite memory of the bowling alley? Post your comments below.

Also, I received a statement from the company today. Here it is …

After a comprehensive analysis, we recently made the decision to close our AMF South Park 586 location.  This was a very difficult decision and we are grateful to the community for their patronage and support over the last 60 years.  We encourage West Allis area residents to visit our other nearby AMF locations: AMF Oklahoma Ave. or AMF Bowlero Lanes for the outstanding bowling experience that is synonymous with the Bowlmor AMF brand.        

I am seeking to have AMF answer additional questions about the future of the property and will keep you posted.

Also, NOW has an in-depth story on the closure of AMF Waukesha on Sunday. I suspect the dynamics of the situations are similar. From it:

Martin, however, provided some insight into the closing. She said AMF merged with Strike Holdings LLC, or “Bowlmor,” to form a new company name Bowlmor AMF last year, after AMF filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2012. Martin said some time after the transaction, Bowlmor AMF put some of its centers up for sale.

“If they didn’t sell in a certain timeframe they were going to close the doors,” Martin said. “I don’t know if they were trying to sell it to another bowling corporation. We would only hope, but it’s highly unlikely, that it will now stay a bowling center unless someone wants to come in and buy it.”

Martin said there had been rumblings that the facility would close but added that the “doors closed earlier than expected.”

“We heard rumors about it for the last several years that Waukesha is closing, and it didn’t,” Martin said. “So when Bowlmor came in we all said ‘This is great.’ But obviously it was not.”

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Headlines!

Check out these South Shore headlines …

And County Supervisor Pat Jursik has published a new e-newsletter.

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Storm Damage?

6-30 storm 1 small 6-30 storm 2 smallUpdate: These images were taken near 15th and Drexel this evening.

I’m seeing several reports of downed trees, or at least big tree limbs, on Facebook.

What are you seeing in your neighborhood? Post your comments below!

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Filed under South Milwaukee, Weather

A July 4th Fireworks Reminder

Keep this in mind as you head to Grant Park for our new and improved July 4th festivities this year …

In short, there are almost no fireworks that are lawful to discharge in a county park or anywhere else in the City of South Milwaukee.

From the South Milwaukee Police Department press release …

The City of South Milwaukee Police Department will have extra officers in Grant Park during the July 4th celebration. The officers will adopt a zero tolerance policy for persons discharging any type or size firework while in the park. There will be no warnings. If you discharge fireworks in the park, you will be cited, and the fireworks will be confiscated. The fine/forfeiture for fireworks violation in the park is $290.00.

Check out more on the city’s Facebook page (and like it while you’re there).

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Welcome, John McGivern: “Around The Corner” Coming To South Milwaukee

john_new_logoSouth Milwaukee has a great story to tell, and it should be told. That’s why I’m excited to announce that John McGivern is bringing his “Around the Corner” PBS series to South Milwaukee, with filming happening in late July.

The show will spend a half hour looking at what makes South Milwaukee a great place to live, work and play, with a focus on what makes our city unique. Local historian John Gurda will also lend a historical perspective during the show and in a separate piece also airing on PBS.

I met with the show producers recently, and it sounds like they have a strong plan to bring our story to life. I can’t wait to see it – and do what I can to help.

I ask you to do the same. One way: Make sure your property is looking its best the week of July 27. Let’s put our best foot forward … and welcome McGivern and Gurda to town in style.

The air date is set for Feb. 26, 2015. Look for more information on a local premier in coming months. I promise, we will have some fun with this!

Check out season one and two episodes here, including one on our neighbors to the north.

 

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Remembering Terry Peterson

I didn’t know Terry, but I am told she was a longtime South Milwaukee resident and a South Milwaukee High School graduate.

She certainly left a lasting impression, and her obituary guest book tells an amazing story. And here is the story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Please keep her friends and family in your prayers.

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Filed under Community, Oak Creek, South Milwaukee

Investing In Downtown South Milwaukee: Thanks, Sorce Martial Arts

DSC1526DSC5067The renovation and expansion of Sorce Martial Arts are nearly complete … and what better time to celebrate than during Evening on the Avenue?

That’s the plan, as Sorce holds a grand re-opening event from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 24. From the press release

The event will be an open house for the community to tour the newly expanded facilities, observe adult and child martial arts classes, meet with instructors and staff and take advantage of enrollment specials. In place of the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, there will be a belt-cutting ceremony at 5 p.m. The Grand Re-opening also marks the 10th anniversary of Sorce Martial Arts at their current location at 926 Milwaukee Avenue.

“We’re excited about opening the doors of our new facility and sharing everything that martial arts has to offer our community,” says owner and Master Instructor Pete Sorce. While the expansion has taken more than a year to complete, Sorce says that the process has been worth it. With more than 250 adults and children actively attending classes, he adds, “I wanted to create a special space that models the quality of our programs and not be simply a gym or a toddler playground.”

The lower level of the two-story building, which used to house a pharmacy and small offices covered with aging wood-paneling, mismatched carpeting and very little natural daylight, has been completely transformed into a 6,000 square foot contemporary martial arts school. The expanded space now features two full-sized training rooms, new ample viewing areas for families, a private lesson room and offices, a lounge area, and new bathrooms and changing rooms. The look and feel of the space is natural, contemporary and open.

Sorce says that he spent a lot of time researching options for a larger facility to accommodate the school’s growing student base and additional classes. He considered other existing buildings in the area and new construction, but eventually decided to stay at the existing location and expand the space. Pete and Rachel Sorce purchased the building last May, then started the demolition and remodel immediately. Throughout the process, classes in the front half of the building continued as usual.

Thanks to the Sorces for investing in downtown South Milwaukee. There are certainly strong signs of life in our city center — and that is thanks to passionate and committed business owners like them.

Check out more renovation images from Anthony Sell here.

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Filed under Local Business, South Milwaukee

Celebrating A South Milwaukee Home — And The Garden Tour

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel comes a nice feature on the South Milwaukee home of John and Patti Bergeson, which you can see for yourself as part of the upcoming South Milwaukee Historical Society Garden Tour.

From the story

When John and Patti Bergeson went house hunting nearly 17 years ago, their dream house was a fixer-upper. No way did they want a house in perfect condition. Because both work in construction and are do-it-yourselfers with lots of energy and creative ideas, they wanted a home they could put their stamp on.

They got their wish when they found their late 1890s farmhouse in South Milwaukee. Even though they’ve been working on the home’s interior, exterior and green spaces nearly nonstop since they bought it, there’s still plenty to do.

“We have 50 projects going on at once,” said, John, who goes by “Rock.” We do everything ourselves. … We have no time to rest.”

And don’t forget about the Garden Tour on June 28!

 

 

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Drama At The Depot: Bringing Performance Art To A Piece Of South Milwaukee History

A “pop-up festival” of performance art coming to the iconic South Milwaukee railroad depot?

How cool is that?

Learn more here, including information on how you can be one of the performers.

Details from the Battery Factory, which is holding this event July 24-26 in conjunction with the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center …

The performance venue is the South Milwaukee Train Depot Platform. The restored station provides an atmospheric backdrop and contained space for an outdoor performance for an audience of 40-60 people, seated. Taking place the evenings of July 24, 25 and 26, performances commence @7:30PM each night, with one 10 minute intermission between the 2nd & 3rd pieces. Successful applicants must appear at each performance.

Consider it another reason to love Heritage Week.

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