A look at some special special events in coming days …
Thursday: Medieval Market
The first of the South Milwaukee Downtown Market’s special markets is planned for Thursday, with its Medieval Market. From the Facebook event page …
Come out to the market for our first Medieval themed market! There will be a variety of activities for everyone to enjoy.Live music from 5-7 pm with a performance by Sweet Shieks.We also welcome Younger’s Woodery by Bob Younger to the market for the first time! Bob is a professional chainsaw artist and will be doing live demos and selling various pieces of art. See what the buzz is all about!Queen Anne and her court will be making an appearance for tea time and pictures.Wisconsin Scottish will be doing axe throwing demonstrations.There will also be arts and crafts for the kids! The princes of the market can paint a wooden shield, while the princesses get to make a flower ribbon headband! Come early!Reptile Education will be showing off some of their reptilesFrom 3-8 pm, there will be a bounce house for kids, food, beer, an awesome raffle, and so much more!!
THURSDAY-SATURDAY: EUROPEAN BEER GARDENS (AND MORE MUSIC)
European Beer Gardens returns with music and, of course, beer. In addition to Thursday’s music at the market, Friday, it’s Pivari. Saturday, it’s Ania Dankow Music and The Nightinjails. Details here.
Saturday: South Milwaukee Garden Tour
Come see the hidden garden gems that South Milwaukee has to offer! South Milwaukee Garden Tour, Saturday, June 19th from 9am-2 pm. Local artisans will be also selling their handcrafted items in select gardens as well as a couple of musical guests. Tickets are on sale now at Mari’s Floral Wine & Gifts, 905 Milwaukee Avenue, South Milwaukee.
Details — and a sneak peek at some of the gardens — here.
Please join us on Monday, June 14, 2021, as we celebrate Flag Day at South Milwaukee City Hall.
The event, to be held at the gazebo near the Senior Center, will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m.
Learn more about the unique history of Flag Day and be part of a flag retirement ceremony performed by local veterans, Scouts, and the South Milwaukee Fire Department.
We are also welcoming the Rotary Club of Mitchell Field, which is again bringing its Flags for Heroes initiative to the city, with dozens of flags being placed around City Hall.
It’s another terrific collection of talent, as live shows return in full force to the South Milwaukee Perfoming Arts Center. And it starts this summer.
Here is the full press release and details …
South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center (SMPAC) recently announced its annual Performing Arts Series at a Preview Party hosted by the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Council and Skyline Catering & Express Deli.
“Our post-pandemic 2021-2022 season will feature eight performances chosen for their energy, local connections, and broad appeal,” said Rachel Sorce, Executive Director. “Our annual Performing Arts Series is designed for people of all ages and aesthetics, and we encourage performance enthusiasts to include SMPAC in their plans for next season.”
Mark your calendars for September 24 when Big Band, Big Club, Big Night! kicks off the season at the historic and completely remodeled Bucyrus Club & Event Center in downtown South Milwaukee. Enjoy friends, drinks, dinner and dancing to live swing and Motown music performed by one of the finest big bands around, The Bill Sargent Big Band. This will be a very special night in a place that holds memories for generations of South Milwaukeans and is sure to create new memories for generations to come.
Get your laughs on with our ComedySportz® Halloween Hoot-tacular on October 23. Do not miss the Shake & Holla Tour featuring the vanguards of blues, the North Mississippi Allstars, along with the legendary Rebirth Brass Band and Cedric Burnside on November 19. Celebrate the holidays with The Texas Tenors in Deep In the Heart of Christmas on December 12. Sing along to your favorite show tunes with The World of Musicals on January.27. Enjoy Four Guyz in Dinner Jackets in their newest show, Call Us Old Fashioned: The Supper Club Tour, on February 25. Treat your Irish eyes and ears to Celtic Angels Ireland on March 20. And finally…. The Mutts Gone Nuts in Canine Cabaret will steal your heart – and then your socks – when they perform their long-awaited show on April 28.
Past SMPAC subscribers may purchase tickets starting June 22-July 6. Individual tickets will go on sale July 8. Call the box office at (414) 766-5049 Monday-Thursday from 10-3. Groups of 10 or more receive 10% off. For the latest health and safety protocols, please refer to our website. Sign up at southmilwaukeepac.org to receive notifications when tickets for additional shows go on sale. Remember, tickets make great gifts!
Friday, September 24
Big Band. Big Club. Big Night!
The Bill Sargent Big Band at Bucyrus Club & Event Center
5:30 Cash Bar, 6:30 Dinner, 7:30 Concert
Reserve your seats for this very special night at the historic and newly remodeled 1920s Bucyrus Club & Event Center in the heart of downtown South Milwaukee. Bring your friends for a big night on the town! Enjoy drinks, dinner and dancing to swing and Motown classics performed live by the impeccable Bill Sargent Big Band. The Bill Sargent Big Band has been called “the tightest, most solid ensemble of expert musicians Milwaukee may ever see,” (The Milwaukee Journal). Ticket price includes dinner and music. Cash bar. Bucyrus Club & Event Center is located at 1919 12th Avenue in the city of South Milwaukee. Parking is available in the adjacent lot.
ComedySportz® is an awesomely exciting comedy show played as a sport! The Halloween Hoot-tacular is the same ComedySportz® show that Milwaukee fans have come to love, but with a few Halloween themes included just for fun! During a “match,” you’ll see a Referee and two teams of Players competing in improv games based on audience suggestions. Expect 7-10 games per match and an occasional audience volunteer joining the teams “on the field” to help the hilarity ensue! Everything is made up on the spot. Nothing is rehearsed. Players are quick-witted, funny and compete as hard as they can to make sure the fans in the audience are laughing. ComedySportz® originated in Milwaukee in 1984 and is now played in 24 cities around the world.
The Shake & Holla Tour will showcase foot-stomping Mississippi “Hill Country” blues and the funky, syncopated sounds of New Orleans brass. Touring together for the first time, the Grammy-nominated and Blues Music Award-winning North Mississippi Allstars will be joined by the legendary Rebirth Brass Band for a musical celebration of two great southern musical traditions. Both artists are part of the vanguard of blues and soul music. Appearing with them is blues guitarist, vocalist and drummer Cedric Burnside, a Grammy-nominated artist in his own right and the grandson of legendary Fat Possum recording artist R.L. Burnside. Each artist will perform their favorites and collaborate throughout the show on a grab bag of great songs, exploring the musical connection between the Mississippi Delta and Bourbon Street… right down Highway 61.
The Texas Tenors have amassed a huge fan base worldwide with over half a million followers on social media and more than 20 million views on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. They are Billboard Magazine’s #10 “Classical Artist in the World” for 2019. With impressive live ticket sales tracked by PollStar they are considered the most successful touring group in the history of America’s Got Talent. As consummate professionals, these three friends with a simple All-American dream have proven that their impact will be long lasting. They have performed more than 1400 live concerts at performing arts centers, casinos, symphony halls, outdoor festivals and major corporate events. The Texas Tenors truly possess that rare, ever sought after quality of mass appeal.
The World of Musicals brings the very best of musical theatre to life. This captivating production is an emotional journey through the world of great musicals that leaves audiences spell-bound. With beautiful and emotional ballads from Evita, Les Misérables and Phantom of the Opera along with great up-beat favorites from Dirty Dancing, Rock of Ages and Mamma Mia, there is something in this show for everyone. Highlights from the newest musicals such as Sister Act II will be featured along with classics from the Golden Age of American Musical Theatre by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Gilbert and Sullivan, George Gershwin and Stephen Sondheim. The World of the Musicals is a show for the entire family, so get ready to be enthralled and sing along to all your favorite and beloved musicals in one unforgettable evening.
Direct from their Australian and European tours, this select cast of highly talented and accomplished performers have been featured in worldwide smash hits on London’s West End and Off Broadway such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Guys and Dolls, Celtic Nights, The King and I, Spring Awakening, Evita, Rent, and Avenue Q among many others. The World of Musicals was created by a powerhouse team in Dublin who are responsible for Celtic Nights, Gaelforce Dance and On Eagles Wings.
“The cast is SUPREMELY talented and an absolute joy to watch.” Broadway World
“The World of Musicals puts on a colourful, inspiring mix from memorable musicals – presented by an outstanding cast.” Reset Productions
The Four Guyz in Dinner Jackets® take you on an “Old-Fashioned” road trip with a double shot of nostalgia in their brand-new show! In this energized entrée, the fabulous foursome serve round after round of classic doo-wop and tasty musical side dishes you are sure to relish! We know you will drink up every drop of fun right down to the orange slice and maraschino cherry! Join the Four Guyz in a toast. Your reservation is waiting!
Through their shared zeal and passion for Ireland’s musical traditions, this troupe enables audiences to experience Real Ireland for the price of a concert ticket. Celebrating their cherished heritage through Irish dance, music and song is something these entertainers take very seriously. You’ll be enthralled from the moment the lights dim as the sweet and stirring songs of Ireland, rigorously precise dances, and traditional musicianship carry you to Ireland on wings of music. Some of the sweetest voices under heaven make up the Celtic Angels: Victoria Kenny, Emily Carroll, Tammy Browne, Amy Penston, and Ellie Mullane – Irish to the core and seasoned entertainers all. The Celtic Knight Dancers feature two former lead dancers of Riverdance and perform with athletic precision. The Trinity Band Ensemble of Dublin round out the show with flawless interpretations of authentic Irish Trad instrumentals.
“You have to see it to believe it!” Washington Post
From shelters to showbiz, the Mutts Gone Nuts canines unleash havoc and hilarity in an action-packed spectacular featuring talented 4 legged performers. The dogs are sure to steal your heart… and then your socks! Long-time comedy duo Scott and Joan Houghton introduced dogs into their act in 2005. Prior to involving dogs, the duo worked with Lee Greenwood in Tennessee and at Dolly Parton’s theaters in Branson, Orlando and Myrtle Beach. The Houghtons attempt to match wits with their mischievous canine partners in a family-friendly performance. All nine dogs are USDA APHIS (Animal Welfare) registered and adopted from animal shelters or rescue groups. Expect the unexpected! This show will leave you howling for more. Training methods are positive and reward-based. For all ages.
“Get those dogs out of my dressing room.” Kenny Rogers, recording artist
ADDITIONAL EVENTS
In addition to the 2021-2022 Performing Arts Series, the season includes two youth theatre musical productions this summer, performances by area performing arts groups, shows presented by other promoters or renters, and more. Following are some of the featured performances at SMPAC scheduled for the 2021-2022 season.
SUMMER YOUTH THEATRE
South Milwaukee Youth Theatre (SMYT) provides educational theatre experiences for youth in South Milwaukee and the surrounding communities. Each year, SMYT hosts approximately 100-120 students in multiple casts to produce two summer musical theatre shows. The SMYT Junior Cast of 6-11 year olds will present Disney’s Frozen KIDS on July 17 at 1:00 and 6:00 pm. The SMYT Senior Cast of 12-18 year olds will present Disney’s Moana JR.on July 30 and 31 at 7:00 pm and August 1 at 2:00 pm.
SMPAC brings performing arts experiences to senior living centers and sponsors concerts and other events in the community. Here are the performances set for the 2021-2022 season:
June 22, 2:30-3:30: Val Sigal at Willowcrest Care Center
July 14, 2:30-3:30: Matthew Davies at Oak Creek Place
August 11, 6-7 p.m.: Big Style Brass at Howard Village
SUMMER CONCERTS
South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center (SMPAC) is proud to support live “Music at the Market” in downtown South Milwaukee starting June 3. SMPAC is partnering with the South Milwaukee Downtown Market to bring complimentary live, outdoor concerts to the heart of our community each week. SMPAC joins with other performing arts-minded sponsors to make this possible, including Classic Cargo International, Cousin’s Subs of South Milwaukee, DB Tax & Wealth, Eberhardy & Eberhardy LLP, Molthen-Bell & Son Funeral Home and Moran’s Pub.
The market is open to the public on Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m. and is located at the corner of Milwaukee and 11th Avenues in the city of South Milwaukee. Concerts generally take place between 5-7 p.m. Check smmarket.org/events for details. The South Milwaukee Downtown market features an eclectic mix of merchants selling fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, flowers, art, jewelry and more. Live music brings energy and enjoyment to the market, while nearby restaurants, shops, bars and Grant Park Beach add to the fun! The South Milwaukee Downtown Market is a destination for families, couples, outdoor enthusiasts and foodies.
Below is a partial list of featured Music at the Market concerts, which are sponsored by SMPAC and Classic Cargo International. For a complete list of concerts, read our press release or visit smmarket.org/events.
Thursday, July 22, 5-8 pm
Reverend Raven & the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys featuring Westside Andy
South Milwaukee Downtown Market, 11th and Milwaukee Avenues
With smokin’ grooves served up with hot harmonica and smooth stinging guitar, they play original songs peppered with nods to Slim Harpo, Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers, Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells and the three Kings. Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, the Rev has been playing the blues since 1971 when he first saw Freddy King play at the Kinetic Theatre in Chicago. After a 15 year hitch in the Navy, Raven moved to Milwaukee. Sponsored by Classic Cargo International.
Thursday, September 9, 5-7 pm
Madtown Mannish Boys
South Milwaukee Downtown Market, 11th and Milwaukee Avenues
The Madtown Mannish Boys is a Madison-based Blues band steeped in Chicago-style Blues, with influences from artists like Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Otis Spann, Paul Butterfield, and Little Walter. They perform with raw exuberance and driving rhythms that make you want to boogie. Some of their tunes are harmonica-driven, played with gritty fervor and intense energy. Others are soulful ballads, heavily influenced by the likes of Otis Redding and Sam Cooke. This mix of styles and genres makes for an entertaining and dynamic show that you won’t want to miss. Sponsored by Classic Cargo International.
Thursday, September 23, 5-7 pm
Extra Crispy Brass Band
South Milwaukee Downtown Market, 11th and Milwaukee Avenues
The Extra Crispy Brass Band plays music inspired by bands such as the Dirty Dozen, Hot Eight, Rebirth and New Birth Brass Bands. Repertoire includes pieces from traditionals by Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet, modern funk tunes, and originals. The Extra Crispy Brass Band has played at Bastille Days, Turner Hall Ballroom, Radio 88.9, Burnhearts Fest, State Fair, the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and others. The Extra Crispy Brass Band won a WAMI for best horn band/big band of 2014.
Bandleader, vocalist, and trombonist Gregory Cramer formed the band because he missed New Orleans. A resident of the Crescent City in the 1990s, he moved north in 1999 and looked for the Milwaukee version of the Rebirth Brass Band. One day riding his bicycle past Shank Hall he heard the sounds of Mama Digdown’s
Brass Band waft out, and he was inspired by that amazing outfit to form his own band (and learn trombone). Sponsored by Classic Cargo International.
ADDITIONAL FEATURED EVENTS
Friday, October 1, 8:00 pm
Steven Wright presented by ACG
Academy Award winner Steven Wright is a prototype comedian that many others continually try to follow. He’s had a long career in comedy. He booked for his first Tonight Show appearance on Friday, August 6, 1982. The king of late night enjoyed the performance so much he invited Steven to appear again the following Thursday, a rarity on The Tonight Show. His back-to-back appearances helped put his fledgling career into high gear. The comic soon found himself performing his off-beat routines on Saturday Night Live, Late Night with David Letterman, and numerous trips back to The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
Sundays – October 31, February 13, April 10 (Concerts are at 3:00 p.m.)
Knightwind Ensemble
Milwaukee’s premier adult wind band.
Saturday, October 30
(All day student a cappella workshops plus an evening concert.)
Milwaukapella
An annual fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Mitchell Field. It will feature a day-long workshop for high school vocal students followed by a performance onstage. Sponsored by Landass & Company Investments and the Rotary Club of Mitchell Field.
TICKETS
Advance tickets will go on sale June 22-July 6 for past season subscription holders. Call (414) 766-5049 M-Th from 10-3 to order. We’re pausing subscriptions for 2021-2022 due to the potential for artist tour changes. We appreciate your understanding and will hold your seats for 2022-2023! Individual tickets will go on sale July 8. Purchase at southmilwaukeepac.org or call (414) 766-5049 M-Th from 10-3. Groups of 10 or more get 10% off. For the latest health and safety protocols, please visit our website. Sign up at southmilwaukeepac.org to receive notifications when tickets for additional shows go on sale. Tickets make great gifts! Box office and Will Call open one hour before most shows.
The South Milwaukee Common Council voted 6-0 Thursday to reconsider its action earlier in the week and move ahead with our July 4th fireworks at Grant Park, following Milwaukee County’s decision to lift its outdoor event capacity restrictions. Here is my statement …
I am excited the Independence Day fireworks show will happen in 2021 after all. We need these special community events more than ever, as we reopen as a city, state and country.
For more than a year during the pandemic, we as local leaders have worked hard to make the best decisions we can — some of them incredibly difficult and controversial — with the information in front of us. We have also had to be adaptable, as facts change. That is exactly the case here, and that is why I thank the South Milwaukee Common Council for making this decision.
Let the show go on. Happy July 4th, South Milwaukee!
This is always an exciting day in South Milwaukee — the start of a new season for the South Milwaukee Downtown Market! More details on the market website and Facebook page.
I want to thank all of the volunters who make this happen, from its launch in 2009 to today. Your work has paid off with a truly special event for our city, a defining part of our downtown revitalization.
Yes, the city’s July 4th celebration is cancelled this year, as are a couple other larger local events. One or two are still in flux. But it’s clear … there are plenty of special events in South Milwaukee this summer.
It started with several events in May, including the launch of the 2021 Suburban Soles Guided Nature Walks, the South Milwaukee Little League Parade, opening night of the European Beer Gardens and the Memorial Day ceremony.
Of course, the lineup includes the weekly South Milwaukee Downtown Market (which kicks off this Thursday, June 3, and runs every Thursday through October 7) and European Beer Gardens (every Thursday, Friday and Saturday through October 9) — which, combined, offer more than 30 live music opportunities in the heart of our city.
Flag Day, the South Milwaukee Garden Tour, the Grant Park Traveling Beer Garden — they are all back in June, too. And there is all that’s happening at Grant Park Beach this summer …
Here is a rundown for June — and if I missed something, please let me know).
Wednesday, June 23: Milwaukee County Traveling Beer Garden opens at Grant Park and runs through Monday, July 5 — every evening from 4 to 9 p.m. at Picnic Area 5.
The South Milwaukee Common Council voted 6-0 Tuesday night to cancel the city’s 2021 Independence Day festivities and fireworks. I support the decision.
Here is my statement …
No one wants to cancel this special community celebration, but it was the right decision.
We hold this event at Grant Park, and it requires a permit from Milwaukee County to do so. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the county has put a limit of 1,000 on crowd sizes for special events like this — a directive reinforced just hours before our meeting. Our celebration routinely draws thousands of people, and we did not see a way we could limit attendance to meet this threshold — nor did we want to. Enforcing the crowd size limit would also be next to impossible. We explored other locations in the city, but none were suitable to host our fireworks show.
We look forward to bringing back our Independence Day celebration in 2022, bigger and better than ever, as we continue to take necessary steps to address the pandemic and reopen safely and responsibly. We also look forward to enjoying a number of local events still planned for South Milwaukee this summer — from the South Milwaukee Downtown Market opening this week to the Heritage Days Parade to Community Night Out, and many, many more.
A letter from South Milwaukee and St. Francis Health Department Health Administrator Jacqueline Ove, reinforcing recommendations “that all community members follow the guidance from CDC and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) that aligns with their current vaccination status regarding masks, physical distance, and any modifications that are recommended to accommodate protective measures for the public, and workforce.”
_________
Dear Residents and Business Owners,
The South Milwaukee/St. Francis Health Department’s response to COVID-19 continues. We certainly recognize the toll this response has taken on everyone as we grow weary of the messages to continue protective measures by wearing masks, and staying physically distant from others.
Over the last months, the number of newly reported COVID-19 cases in Milwaukee County, South Milwaukee, and St. Francis have plateaued or been at a consistent level, and vaccination rates have been rising as additional age groups are added to the eligibility. Currently, individuals age 12 years and older are eligible to receive vaccines.
The South Milwaukee/St. Francis Health Department continues to work in coordination with the Cudahy and Oak Creek Health Departments to provide vaccinations through the South Shore COVID Vaccination Clinic and off site “pop up” clinics in a variety of settings including schools, and businesses. Information regarding vaccinations clinics is available on our website at https://smwi.org/420/COVID-19-Vaccine.
On May 13, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidance for fully vaccinated people. Fully vaccinated people can resume activities they did before the pandemic, including participating in indoor and outdoor activities – large or small – without wearing a mask or physically distancing. Fully vaccinated people can also refrain from testing following a known exposure unless they are residents or employees of a correctional or detention facility or a homeless shelter.
A person is considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 if it has been two or more weeks since they got the second dose in a two-dose series (such as Pfizer or Moderna), or one dose of a single-dose vaccine (such as Johnson & Johnson).
Important Exceptions to Updated Mask Guidance:
Health care settings;
K-12 Schools;
Places where masks are required by local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including: local businesses and workplaces;
Residents and employees of correctional and detention facilities and homeless shelters; and
Travelers on all planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
The Health Department recommends that all community members follow the guidance from CDC and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) that aligns with their current vaccination status regarding masks, physical distance, and any modifications that are recommended to accommodate protective measures for the public, and workforce.
Your health and safety is our priority. We thank you for your continued patience and cooperation in this unprecedented public health crisis. For additional information you can view the websites for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and the Centers for Disease Control or call the Health Department at 414-768-8055.
A big part of our downtown rebirth will be driven by events, as we bring more people — and more energy — back to our city center with opportunities to gather and have a good time.
The latest example: European Beer Gardens.
The downtown South Milwaukee beer garden is back for a full season in 2021 — and it’s now open.
South Milwaukee’s outdoor beer garden European Beer Gardens will kick off its second (and first full) season with a grand opening event 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and an afterparty at Moran’s Pub.
Showcasing a select list of craft beers, games and live music, European Beer Gardens, which shares a space with the South Milwaukee Downtown Market at 1022 Madison Ave, is a partnership between Moran’s Pub owner James Moran and Brittany Rosales, owner of Rose Mob Grill food truck.
“I’m excited to partner with James again,” Rosales said in a recent press release. “My family is from Mexico, and it’s the same there and everywhere in the world–we need a chance to come together, especially this summer, and downtown South Milwaukee is the perfect place to do it.”
“What better way to celebrate our European roots than with a beer garden?” Moran added. “This will offer something different to the community.” …
European Beer Gardens is conveniently located near a number of South Milwaukee restaurants, including Barbiere’s Italian Inn, Azteca Restaurant, The Tap Room, Burger Town, China Chef, and Spirits Bar & Grill.
The beer garden features eight craft beers from Danish and Midwestern breweries on tap, among them Pistachio Cream Ale (Indeed Brewing), Moran’s Pub Lager (Shorts Brewing Co.), Fat Pug oatmeal stout (Maplewood Brewery), and Foggy Geezer hazy IPA (War Pigs). A portion of beer sale proceeds will benefit local charities. Charities interested in partnering with European Beer Gardens can contact Moran at 414-902-0148 or jamesmoranwi@gmail.com.
The European Beer Gardens Grand Opening Event Saturday will feature musical guests Jack Pascolini and Jon Rouse. Here’s the June musical lineup, with Thursday shows presented by the South Milwaukee Downtown Market …
The pace of redevelopment downtown is quickening, and it starts in the center.
The latest addition to the former Bucyrus campus is Roadrunner Freight, which is bringing more than 100 business support workers to one of the office buildings. It’s the fourth significant new tenant for the Bucyrus Business Center, and third in less than six months (including Steele Solutions and Dawn Equipment).
Roadrunner is taking over 23,000 square feet on the three-story Panama Office building. Caterpillar left that space move-in ready, according to Jim Cavanaugh of Boerke Co., who brokered the office lease on behalf of building owner Reich Brothers with Boerke’s Andrew Jensen and Katie Brueske.
“It was fully furnished,” Cavanaugh said. “They left the cubicles and wiring in place. Roadrunner was looking for a plug-and-play situation.”
The Roadrunner lease follows two 2021 announcements of new industrial companies moving into Bucyrus Business Center. New York state real estate investor Reich Brothers bought the property in 2018 and has since invested in improvements to the building to make its manufacturing and office building space more attractive to tenants.
That investment is paying off, and that is only good news for our city and downtown. It means new jobs, new customers for local businesses and new energy for a campus that could easily have sat vacant for years, like so many mothballed industrial complexes across the country.
I can’t wait to see what’s next — and there will be a “next.” Stay tuned.
All in, more than $10 million in new investment is aready on the books for downtown in 2021.
Work on the Bucyrus Club & Event Center is full speed ahead, with a formal opening coming in July. It’s the same with the impressive expansion of D.B. Tax & Wealth across the street, and Military Connection down Milwaukee Avenue. The Moran’s Pub six-figure rehab — inside and out — is also impressive.
Plans are advancing for the city’s new downtown public space, and the updated designs are terrific.
Two new apartment redevelopments from Riverview Diversified are also in the works, and were discussed at Tuesday’s Plan Commission, as part of the most robust agenda I’ve seen in South Milwaukee in many years.
The former Bettinger & Sons Department store (most recently a rooming house and Kane Insurance) at 2001 10th Ave. will become 24 apartments, with construction (and a full exterior facelift) expected to begin in June.
Riverview Diversified is also proposing 24 apartments for the former Doerman Shoe Company factory (more recently the Pyramax Lending Center and then Cheata Bikes) at 2300 10th Ave. The Plan Commission approved a rezoning application on Tuesday for the project, with a public hearing and council approval still needed.
There will be a 2021 Memorial Day ceremony in South Milwaukee, minus the march.
Here is the schedule, with the ceremonies set for May 31 at the War Memorial near 10th Avenue and Rawson …
11 a.m. Welcome / Pledge of Allegiance
11:05 Chaplain Invocation
11:08 Place Wreaths
11:18 Roll Call of the Dead
11:28 Rifle Salute
11:30 Taps/Present Arms
11:31 Present SMVC Veteran of the Year Tom Milnar to Mike Milnar (Son)
11:35 Benediction
11:37 End Event/Thank Attendees
11:45 Dismissal
Thank you the Veterans Council, Van Eimeren-Kolonka American Legion Post #27, Boy Scout Trop 252, and everyone else who is helping plan and execute this event.
The 2021 Police and Fire Department Award Ceremony was held on Tuesday, May 18, at the South Milwaukee Common Council meeting.
We want to thank all our officers, firefighters, and citizens for the work they do each day to make our city safer, and we want to especially thank our award recipients for their exceptional acts.
You can read about a few of the South Milwaukee Fire Department award recipients below. Here are the remarks from Fire Chief Joseph Knitter …
As you know, due to the pandemic, EMS Awards were not presented last year. However, tonight I am going to highlight a call that would have been included in last year’s presentation that took place in the early morning hours of November 6, 2019. From the SMFD, I’d like to call up Lt. Andy Mahn, Lt. Ryan Wendt, FF/P Ryan Miksa, and FF/EMT Nate Christensen.
But, before I provide details of this specific incident, let me provide a little background information . . . please keep in mind that, in 2019, throughout Milwaukee County, the survival rate for a person that suffered sudden cardiac arrest was only 13%. Of those 13% that experience the Return of Spontaneous Circulation, around 45% are discharged alive from the hospital. And, even less are discharged with no deficits and go on to make a full recovery.
So, this is where the call that took place in the early morning hours of November 6, 2019, comes into play . . . At approximately, 1:40AM that morning, SMFD received a 9-1-1 call for an unresponsive female at a single-family residence. Upon arrival, SMFD crews found the female to be without a pulse and not breathing. They immediately began providing Advanced Life Support measures for a sudden cardiac arrest by starting CPR with our LUCAS CPR Device, placing an airway to breath for the patient, and administering medications to attempt to convert her heart’s rhythm. After what probably seemed like an eternity to the patient’s husband, who had originally started CPR and called 9-1-1, but was documented at about 32 minutes, the patient regained her pulse and started to attempt to breath on her own. The patient was transported to Ascension – Franklin Hospital for definitive care, and eventually was discharged and has made a full recovery.
This patient and her family are joining us tonight via Zoom from her daughter’s house in Las Vegas. I’d like to introduce you to the Schweikl Family – Debbie, our patient; Jay – her husband whose efforts, by the way, cannot go unmentioned because he played a significant role in Debbie’s survival by calling 9-1-1 early and attempting CPR. When we talk about the chain of survival, the first two links for a bystander are activation of emergency response (9-1-1) and high-quality CPR. …
So, with that . . . I’d like to present our SMFD EMS Heroes their Letter of Commendation.
On Wednesday, November 6th, 2019, you were part of an EMS crew that responded to a 9-1-1 call to a residence for a report of an unresponsive female. Upon your arrival, your crew determined the patient was pulseless and non-breathing and Advanced Life Support (ALS) efforts were initiated. The patient experienced the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and was transported to Ascension – Franklin Hospital for definitive care and, subsequently, made a full and remarkable recovery.
Your professionalism, proficiency and skill in treating this patient undoubtedly contributed to saving her life. On behalf of the South Milwaukee Fire Department and the citizens of our community, I would like to commend you for your actions that day. Your dedication to providing such excellent patient care clearly demonstrates your commitment to carrying on the South Milwaukee Fire Department’s proud reputation of Excellence in Public Service.
The 2021 Police and Fire Department Award Ceremony was held on Tuesday, May 18, at the South Milwaukee Common Council meeting.
We want to thank all our officers, firefighters, and citizens for the work they do each day to make our city safer, and we want to especially thank our award recipients for their exceptional acts.
On January 28, 2021, Officer Brenna Sibley was dispatched to the 2600 Block of 5th Avenue for a report of a woman who was passed out and not breathing. Officer Sibley found the 50-year-old woman in a second floor bedroom and she was being attended to by her husband. She was pulseless so Officer Sibley placed her on the floor and began performing CPR. Seconds later, the woman, Maria Florez, began breathing on her own and South Milwaukee Fire Department personnel arrived on scene to provide additional medical care. She was then conveyed to St. Luke’s South Shore for treatment and eventually made a full recovery. Maria had a history of diabetic seizures and it is believed that may have been the cause of this incident. Officer Sibley’s quick assessment and action during a medical emergency prevented a potential loss of life and for this reason Officer Brenna Sibley is hereby presented a lifesaving award.
Merit Award: Officer Kadija Walusay and Officer Steven Streicher
On July 31, 2020, at approximately 9:00pm, several adults entered the Walgreen’s at 2985 S Chicago Avenue and stole items, physically struggling with the employees and doing damage to Walgreen’s property. Fifteen minutes later, the same group of suspects entered the Family Dollar at 1131 Marquette Ave. and used a handgun to threaten the clerk and steal merchandise. Officers Walusay and Streicher began investigating the related robberies and used technology, such as a Walgreen’s reward card, to develop possible suspects. While this investigation was a group effort, with several other officers contributing to the investigation, Officers Walusay and Streicher put many hours into the case. Utilizing surveillance video from surrounding jurisdictions and based on numerous interviews of potential suspects, Officers Walusay and Streicher were able to identify and arrest three women and one man who were responsible for a series of robberies throughout the metro area, including the incidents in South Milwaukee. The Milwaukee County DA’S Office issued felony robbery charges against the defendants and those cases are pending in circuit court. Officer Kadija Walusay and Officer Steven Streicher are to be commended for conducting a detailed investigation that resulted in the apprehension of dangerous criminals. Their diligence and perseverance brought an end to a crime spree and made our community safer.
Citizen Recognition Award: Heather Burns, South Milwaukee Walmart
A community offers many appealing features, including safety, familiarity, loyalty and support, but it is important to remember that those features don’t simply exist without effort. Those desirable qualities are the result of many individual efforts and distinct contributions to the community itself. For the past several years the South Milwaukee Walmart has made an impact on the quality of life in our community through their partnership with the police department and their generous donations to many events.
While the gifts may be too numerous to list, some notable examples are their contributions to our Community Night Out events and our annual Shop with a Cop event. In 2019, Walmart donated money to fund the fireworks for our Night Out event, supplied 6 free bicycles for the raffle and also provided several volunteers to help make the event a success. For over ten years, Walmart has supported our annual Shop with a Cop event by donating gift cards and gift baskets for the children, and providing lunch for the entire group. In 2020, Walmart also gave new bicycles to each of the children that participated in this event.
In addition to these generous donations, Walmart has provided raffle prizes to the Police Department for Evening on the Avenue and recently provided snacks and beverages for almost 200 children that participated in our 2021 bike safety events.
Throughout the years, the South Milwaukee Walmart and its manager, Heather Burns, have demonstrated a strong and steadfast commitment to the South Milwaukee Police Department and the City of South Milwaukee through its many donations and collaborations. We are grateful for their assistance and are lucky to have them as an incredibly reliable partner that helps enhance the quality of life in our community.
The City of South Milwaukee, along with six other Milwaukee County municipalities, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against various opioid manufacturers and distributors.
“South Milwaukee is proud to stand with six other Milwaukee County communities in bringing legal action against the various opioid manufacturers and distributors named in the lawsuit filed today. Due to the named defendants’ conduct, opioid addiction has ravaged our county. Like other municipalities, South Milwaukee has expended an enormous amount of resources to combat the epidemic. Opioids have taken an intensely personal toll on our community. Too many people have become addicted. Too many families have been broken. Too many have died. It is time for these defendants to answer these charges locally.”
It’s Da Crusher, of course! Shot the night of Crusherfest, as we unveiled this statue to the world. Do you have a photo you’d like to share on the blog? Send it along.
South Milwaukee Blog 