Continuing to shine the light on local businesses this holiday season …
Why not give the gift of food or drink this Christmas?
MKE City Sippers, Azteca, Nona’s, China Chef, Wild Flour Bakery, Emerald City Creative Catering — those are just a few of our great local restaurants that are worth a trip, perhaps for a gift certificate, or a hot drink while out shopping.
Of course, I can’t list every restaurant in town … just a few of my favorites.
What’s your favorite? Post your comments below!
Check out these South Shore headlines, including a really nice piece from NOW on three South Milwaukee football stars …
Filed under Headlines, South Milwaukee
I try and shop local whenever I can for Christmas … and sometimes that means a local chain.
My favorite? Ace Hardware. It truly is the “helpful hardware place,” with customer service that you simply can’t get at the big-box home improvement stores, Walmart, etc. And it’s convenient.
I’ve never believed that shopping has to be an “either-or” argument when it comes to chain and local retailers. It’s “both-and.”
Our local Ace is the best of both worlds.
My favorite local artisan — a real undiscovered gem for many — is Studio One Art Glass.
Kim and company do a lot first-class custom work, so check them out if you’re interested in a new stained glass window, door or cabinet. They also have a terrific retail shop full of sun catchers, candle holders, clocks and other items at variety of price points.
The best part: It’s likely Kim made made those products right in the basement of the building, the former YMCA.
Stop by and discover Studio One, if you haven’t already. It’s a great example of the type of destination retail business I’d love to see more of in South Milwaukee.
From the South Milwaukee Police Department …
On 12/11 at about 705 am, while in the area of 15th and Rawson, a juvenile female was walking when a car pulled up next to her. The car was occupied by a heavy set white male subject approximately 40 years old with dark hair in a buzz cut style. The car was in a four door white sedan, and when the female looked into an open car window, she could see that the male subject had his pants pulled down and his genitalia were exposed. The female ran away and was not pursued. The white four door was last seen traveling south bound on 15th Ave. from Rawson. The police have not yet located the male subject or his car.
And here is the message from the school district website …
We are posting this information as a precaution to our families as the safety of our students is our number 1 priority. This morning, a male in a small, white 4-door vehicle approached a middle school student in a lewd and improper manner near 15th Ave and Rawson Ave. The middle school student arrived to school safely and reported the incident immediately. The South Milwaukee Police Department has issued a watch and additional patrols in this area. The police department will continue to investigate this situation. Please talk with your children about personal safety routines while walking to and from school.
Indeed, please talk with your children, and please stay vigilant. And report suspicious behavior to police.
I’ll keep you posted.
Filed under Crime, South Milwaukee
Wanted: Lovers of downtown South Milwaukee, and its promising future.
The city is now accepting applications for membership on the new Downtown Advisory Committee, which will act as a key advisory group to the Plan Commission and city council as we shape the future of our city center.
The group will have nine members in all, with at least four of them being downtown business or property owners. I will personally nominate those members for consideration by the full common council. A plan commissioner will also be part of the committee, as will an aldermanic representative.
There will also be four citizen members. Want to be one of them? Please fill out this application. (You’ll recall that we instituted an application process for membership on our boards and commissions when I took office in April.)
This is an important committee, one that will play a major role in the development of our downtown plan and provide a necessary voice as we make some key decisions in the months and years ahead.
I love downtown South Milwaukee, and am bullish on its future. I hope you are too — and that you will consider being a part of the debate. We need passionate people to get in the game and continue our downtown momentum.
Filed under City Council, Development, South Milwaukee
On Tuesday, we held the formal public hearing on the proposed Gorman & Co. development at St. Adalbert’s — and I want to thank everyone who spoke up to ensure their voices were heard on the issue.
This is democracy in action.
The common council heard dozens of comments over two-plus hours, some opposed, some in favor. The hearing stayed civil throughout, and I appreciate that. The crowd of close to 200 respected the ground rules, and I think that led to a better hearing.
One key point made the meeting: Gorman is offering to reduce the number of units in its proposed development from 37 to 31. A letter indicating that was read into the record.
Next up: The city council is expected to consider the rezoning proposal at its next meeting, Dec. 16 at City Hall. I’ll keep you posted.
Filed under City Council, Development, South Milwaukee
The Brooks house is a NASCAR house. Our favorite driver: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford. (We like local favorite Matt Kenseth, too.)
That’s why we’re really lucky to live in South Milwaukee, home of perhaps the only NASCAR collectibles store in the area.
Didn’t know about Green Flag Racing? You should stop by. It’s located at 1218 Milwaukee Ave., and it has some terrific gear for race fans of all ages.
Diecast cars, clothing, signs and more — this is the kind of stuff you can’t get at other stores, making this just the kind of destination retail business we should focus on attracting to this city.
People drive to South Milwaukee just to go to Green Flag Racing. We need more of that. Stop by and check it out.
Just a quick note that property tax bills are being mailed now and should arrive at South Milwaukee homes by the end of the week.
Tax bill information is also available on the city’s website here.
So, what will your tax bill look like? I’ll speak just for the city.
Learn more about our city budget from my previous post on the topic. From it …
So, how and when do you pay your tax bill? You can pay in full by January 31, or in installments.
Check out the treasurer’s office web page here to learn more.
You can also contact the city treasurer’s office at 766-8048. And here are their holiday hours …
The Treasurer’s Office is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. with the exception of holidays. Beginning February 9, 2015 office hours will change to 7:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. Our office will observe the following holiday schedule for December and January:
Please plan accordingly to make sure your tax payment is received on or before December 31 for income tax purposes.
Filed under 2015 Budget, City Services, South Milwaukee
Check out these South Shore headlines …
Supervisor Pat Jursik has a new newsletter.
And NOW has published a new police blotter.
Filed under South Milwaukee
A hearftelt note of thanks to the South Milwaukee Community and Business Association (formerly the chamber) and everyone who contributed to our new downtown Christmas lights this year …
I think they look terrfic, and have heard from plenty of people who agree. There are more than 60 new fixtures in all.
The association and its members are great community partners, stepping up to improve South Milwaukee in ways big and small. This is a great example, and much appreciated.
And thanks to Shannon Wucherer Photography for providing these images. Shannon’s studio is at 914 Milwaukee Ave., and you can learn more about her busines on her Facebook page. Really good stuff from another successful Milwaukee Avenue business.
Filed under Community, Downtown, South Milwaukee
The local Christmas shopping list continues …
This time, it’s a shoutout for our terrific local children’s book author, Janet Halfmann.
We’re the happy owner of several of her books, and I highly recommend many of her titles.
Learn more on her website. Janet also has a Facebook page.
P.S. I also want to call out a really cool new book written by a friend and colleague of mine, Tom Ryan. It’s called “Peeve, My Parents’ Pet,” and it’s a funny story about the interactions with his young son. Buy it on Amazon.com.
It was a blast having John McGivern and John Gurda in town last summer shooting “Around the Corner.”
The end result? See for yourself as McGivern and Gurda return to our fair city for the premier of the South Milwaukee episode on Monday, Feb. 23, at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center.
The program starts at 7 p.m., after a special performance of the South Milwaukee Municipal Band.
Mark your calendars — and look for more information soon on how to get (free) tickets.
This will be a really fun community celebration. I hope to see you there!
The actual episode airs on Milwaukee Public Television on Thursday, Feb. 26. See the season trailer here.
Filed under Community, South Milwaukee
Today, some love for our local jeweler …
You have a lot of choices on where to buy your jewelry, and I encourage you to shop local this holiday season and pay a visit to Donn Powers Jeweler.
You get a nice selection, along with terrific customer service with an expert staff — in fact, chances are you’ll run into Donn if you stop in. And they do some great specialty pieces.
We’re putting renewed focus on economic development in 2015 and beyond — with the hiring of a single person to lead our efforts in attracting and retaining business, marketing our city and downtown redevelopment, among other duties.
Know someone who might be interested in being our new economic development coordinator?
Here is the job description. Apply here.
I’m excited to get this person on board as soon as possible. There’s lots of work to do!
I’ll still play a big role in economic development going forward — it’s a top priority for me as mayor and a passion — but it will be a huge help having someone inside City Hall (almost) every day driving these efforts.
It’s a big step forward for South Milwaukee.
Filed under City Services, Development, Downtown, South Milwaukee
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