Check out these South Shore headlines …
And NOW has published a new police blotter.
Filed under South Milwaukee
One of downtown South Milwaukee’s longstanding businesses is being rebranded and rethought — and it promises to be a winner.
Moran’s Pub, 912 Milwaukee Ave., is becoming a soccer pub, one of only a handful in the area.
The transition is underway, as the Moran family have their son, James Moran, handling the weekend soccer responsibilities.
Look for the new logo (you can see it above) and signage soon. Other changes to come include six new 60-inch HD TVs, various soccer memorabilia, an increased craft beer selection from local and national breweries, and small food options. They will also have their back room open for private viewing parties, and overflow during large games.
DeMerit’s appearance at Moran’s is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., for a viewing party of a big game in the Premier League: Watford vs. Arsenal. Cost is $25 per person, which includes a pint and a sandwich, and the opportunity to watch the match with the former Watford player and only Wisconsinite to ever play in the English Premier League. There will also be a live auction of DeMerit memorabilia. Half of the proceeds go to the Jay DeMerit: Rise & Shine Foundation, and the other half go to the Milwaukee Soccer Development Group, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting soccer and providing opportunities for youth to play soccer in under-served communities in the greater Milwaukee area. Tickets are available from http://www.msdgsoccer.com.
From James …
Jay DeMerit’s story is one of a young American’s impossible journey from Green Bay, WI – a journey never experienced or heard of in the soccer world. After not making the professional leagues in the U.S., Jay left for Europe at the age of 21 without any professional experience – only a passport, $1500 and a backpack full of dreams. After scraping by for almost two years, Jay finally got his chance. Based on one tryout in the final preseason game, Jay signed a professional contract with Watford F.C. He then helped his team earn promotion to the English Premier League by scoring the “40 million pound goal” and became an instant hero in England. Jay went from playing in front of 50 people to 50,000 almost overnight.
I’m really excited about downtown’s latest new business. This will be the only soccer pub in the area, and it’s certain to attract new people to our city center and provide new life to the 900 block of Milwaukee Avenue.
I am already thinking of the 2018 World Cup — I know James wants to go big, and I’m excited to see what that will mean for his business and our city.
My hope: Moran’s joins Highbury, Three Lions and Nomad as one of THE go-to soccer bars in the region. With James’ passion, I think it will get there. Soccer fan or not, be sure to check out the new Moran’s!
Learn more …
Filed under South Milwaukee
From the South Milwaukee School District …
On October 7th, at 5:30 p.m., in the SMPAC, there will be a special 15-minute presentation regarding the State Budget that was passed and the impact on public schools. The presentation will also cover a critical flaw in school funding that we need to communicate to our legislators about so that they can provide a solution to ensure that all students can receive an equitable education throughout Wisconsin. We highly encourage all families to stop in to this brief presentation.
I thank the schools for continuing to tell this story. It needs to be told — and we need the help of fellow South Milwaukeeans to tell it, be it to state lawmakers or anyone else with influence in Madison.
In short, we need a commitment from the state to work toward adequately fund our public schools.
I stand with the district in that fight.
Filed under Schools, South Milwaukee
Saturday, October 24 is shaping up to be a Rocketober day to remember in South Milwaukee.
Already, you have costumed kickball, food and more at noon at South Milwaukee Little League. At 2 p.m., it’s St. Mark’s Trick-or-Treat Zone. At 3, it’s downtown trick-or-treating, at 5 it’s the Mill Pond/South Milwaukee Lions Zombie House, and 6:30 it’s the South Milwaukee Football Boosters Rocktoberfest beer tasting.
But why not start the day with a nice (and colorful) run outside the high school? Learn more in the flyer above.
And check out the Rocketober list of events here.
This will be fun!
Filed under Events, Rocketober, Schools, South Milwaukee
Caterpillar announced to its employees on Monday that it will close sell its Oak Creek corporate building and move between 200 and 250 jobs back to South Milwaukee in the first half of 2016.
These are salaried professional workers in finance, human resources, legal, marketing, etc. — many folks who had been working in South Milwaukee prior to the opening of the Oak Creek mining headquarters in the former Midwest Airlines building about five years ago.
The move is not a surprise, given Cat’s announcement last month of up to 10,000 global job cuts and other consolidations coming in light of a continuing slumping mining industry. (Competitor Joy Global also announced job cuts last week.)
While it’s hard to call this great news — certainly when taking a broader perspective with economic development — it does strengthen Cat’s presence in downtown South Milwaukee and should help area businesses.
Cat also continues with its plans to invest in its manufacturing presence here.
A company spokesman tells me that the South Milwaukee plant — now in the company’s Surface Mining and Technology group — will be focusing on rope shovels and draglines going forward, and Caterpillar continues to plan investments in the facility in the next three years to meet eventual demand. Cat had previously announced the closure of 250,000 square feet of manufacturing space, while investing in the space that remains.
I’ll keep you posted.
Filed under Caterpillar, Oak Creek, South Milwaukee
The South Milwaukee football team wants to help.
From coach Derek Hoff … this is very cool.
The South Milwaukee Football team will again be volunteering our time to Rake Leaves for families or people who could truly benefit from the service.
This will take place on Sunday October 18th from 12-2:30 PM.
All 6-12th grade boys will be traveling around South Milwaukee raking, bagging leaves, and removing them from the property.
Please sign up any families or people who may have challenges with cleaning up their yards.
Sign up using this link.
Filed under Schools, South Milwaukee, Sports
Check out these South Shore headlines …
Also, NOW has published a new police blotter, and County Supervisor Pat Jursik has published her latest news update.
And here is an honor for former South Milwaukee runner and Lawrence University’s Josh Janusiak.
Filed under Headlines, South Milwaukee
The South Milwaukee football team travels to Cudahy tonight, as the two teams meet for the 87th time in one of the oldest rivalries in the area. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
Rockets coach Derek Hoff wanted to share a few words on this great tradition. Coach, you have the floor …
The traditions of South Milwaukee have been a big part of our school and community. One Tradition that was postponed in 2001 was the annual Rivalry Football game between South Milwaukee and Cudahy. The 2 communities are separated by the dotted line on College Ave. Both cities show great pride in their history and great pride in their grit/work ethic. “The Rivalry” Football game between the 2 schools is almost 100 years old and was renewed in 2009 when the Rockets won 22-21 and since the renewal have won 6 straight over the Packers. The series now rests at 46-35-5 in favor of Cudahy.
If you read old newspaper articles or talk to former players, coaches, teachers, and administrators you will read/hear stories of 9,000+ people attending the annual game. You will hear stories of more $ being bet and changing hands during this week between communities… specifically employees at Ladish and Bucyrus(Caterpillar).
My purpose for e-mailing today is that many of our students will live and stay in South Milwaukee in the future. Many of our students will have children that we teach in future years. This game to many is ‘just’ a game…but to those that live here, grew up here, and will live here in the future it is way more than ‘JUST A GAME’.
This game is about Pride. It’s symbolic for both gritty communities and for the winner each year it states “we’re tougher and work harder than you!” It carries a lot of weight across that dotted line on College Ave. Tonight It would mean a lot to the Sons of South Milwaukee if you would pack the stands in Cudahy and cheer on the Rockets to Victory @ 7:00 in the 87th meeting between the schools.
See all-time rivalry records here, and for more on rivalry’s history, click here.
Go Rockets!
Filed under South Milwaukee, Sports
Program begins at noon … then a parade of squads to raise awareness, and funds for breast cancer research.
See you there!
Filed under Police, South Milwaukee
It was the kind of play that defines seasons — and might send the South Milwaukee football team to the WIAA playoffs.
The play: A double reverse pass from wide receiver Daijon McCoy to quarterback Jake Simuncak for an 81-yard touchdown in the Rockets’ 35-14 win over Brown Deer on Friday.
Check out the play here. It was beautiful to witness, and the start of a great game for Simuncak and the Rockets. In addition to the reception in the in the opening moments, Jake finished with 188 yards passing, including touchdowns of 75 and 41 yards to Lawrence Turner, as the Rockets moved to 4-2 with the annual rivalry game at Cudahy set for Friday.
The play is also up for Time Warner Cable’s Play of the Week award.
Twitter and Facebook users should use the hashtag #TopPlaysWI and @TWCSportsWI when sharing or retweeting the South Milwaukee play. In doing so, it will increase the chances of it winning the award.
From the TWC website …
The Time Warner Cable SportsChannel Play of the Week promotion recognizes the best plays from our coverage of high school football this fall. We’ll select a winner every week, which will advance to the Play of the Year contest at the end of the regular season. Find out which play comes out on top every week at halftime of the following week’s games on TWC SportsChannel. Along with bragging rights, the Play of the Week winners will have a shot at the $1,000 Play of the Year Grand Prize that will be awarded to the athletic department of the school that executed the winning play. Watch ‘em… Tweet ‘em… Blow ‘em up! Tell us which play you think is best. Who knows, it could end up being our Play of the Year!
Watch the TWC replay of the game here.
Filed under Schools, South Milwaukee, Sports
The South Shore Chamber of Commerce has announced it is honoring three local businesses at its Oct. 29 banquet — including one particularly near and dear to my heart: the South Milwaukee Downtown Market.
It, PDQ Tooling of St. Francis and Jen’s Sweet Treats of Cudahy will be honored at the annual awards dinner and silent auction at the Pulaski Inn.
Congratulations to all three businesses, especially our farmers’ market and the people who make it happen.
I am proud to have played a part in starting the market seven seasons ago, and I could not have predicted how big it has become. It’s humbling, and exciting, to see how far we’ve come … and where we’re headed.
We have one of the best markets in the region. Let’s all celebrate that.
Tickets for the dinner are still available for $40 each, or tables of eight for $320, and can be purchased through the chamber. The proceeds of silent auction will be for the SSCC Scholarship Fund to benefit South Shore seniors pursuing higher education. Silent auction donations can be delivered to The K-Ranch, BMO Harris Bank – Cudahy Branch, or by contacting the chamber 483-8615 for pick-up.
Filed under Cudahy, Local Business, Oak Creek, South Milwaukee, St. Francis
Rocketober picks up this weekend, with several big events around town. They are …
Check out the full Rocketober schedule here, and like the Rocketober Facebook page for regular updates.
Filed under South Milwaukee
South Milwaukee lost a good man earlier this month, as Karl Nimphius passed away on Sept. 10 at the age of 93.
From his obituary …
Karl was a lifelong resident of South Milwaukee and a very committed volunteer, having served as the President of the South Milwaukee Lions, Jaycees, Yacht Club, Retired Teachers Association, and Toppers Club. He was the Founder of the national Old GOATS (Gentleman Of Assorted Talents and Skills) Association. Karl was also a Life Member of the VFW and proud guest on the WWII Honor Flight.
As a teenager, Karl joined his brothers in the Nimphius Boat Company building wooden sail boats. After 4 years in the Air Force he returned to the boat business and married Esther Dinkel in 1950. They went on to become avid ballroom dancers and world travelers. Karl turned his love of wood working to a career in building homes. Karl and Esther raised their family in a home Karl designed and built. He later earned his teaching degree and joined SMHS as a Building Trades teacher. Many of his students recall his love of teaching and carpentry, and how he was always happy to help.
A visitation, service and open house are planned for Friday. Details can be found in the obituary.
Please keep Karl’s family in your thoughts and prayers.
Filed under South Milwaukee
Check out these South Shore headlines, including some positive press for our fair city …
And NOW has published a new police blotter.
Filed under Headlines, South Milwaukee
Caterpillar plans to cut up to 10,000 jobs worldwide over the next three years, the company reported today, as it also announced reorganization of its mining division.
Check out coverage from the Wall Street Journal, Reuters, USA Today and CNBC. Here is the press release.
From the Wall Street Journal piece …
The Peoria, Ill.-based company said the job cuts would occur through a reduction in its salaried and management staff and, longer term, through contemplated plant consolidations and closures. Caterpillar is aiming to reduce annual costs by roughly $1.5 billion a year. …
The planned job cuts include reductions of between 4,000 and 5,000 salaried and management staff through 2016 but mostly this year. The potential plant consolidations and closings could affect more than 20 of its operations and slightly more than 10% of its factory floor space.
Caterpillar said that since 2013, it has closed or announced plans to close or consolidate more than 20 facilities, impacting 8 million square feet of manufacturing space. In addition, the company already has reduced its total workforce by more than 31,000 since mid-2012. …
Caterpillar also said it would revamp its mining business, as well as the company’s dealer and customer-facing divisions as part of the efforts to lower costs.
Details of the mining reorganization are contained in a company press release. From it …
As previously announced, Chris Curfman, vice president with responsibility for Caterpillar’s Mining Sales & Support Division is retiring, effective December 31, 2015. His division will be integrated into the existing Global Mining machine business divisions. Bringing product, operations, sales and marketing organizations together in both the surface and underground mining applications aligns well with our customers and will also enable a more effective cost structure in a challenging mining environment. The surface mining sales and support teams will join the Hauling & Extraction Division, which will be renamed the Surface Mining & Technology Division, led by Caterpillar Vice President Tom Bluth. The underground mining sales and support teams will join the Material Handling and Underground Division, led by Caterpillar Vice President Denise Johnson.
So, what does it all mean for South Milwaukee? It remains to be seen.
I’ll keep you posted, especially if I hear more about potential impacts to our city.
Filed under Caterpillar, Local Business, South Milwaukee
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