A final reminder … I’m holding my third Meet the Mayor session on Saturday at Max A. Sass & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services, 1314 Manitoba Ave.
I’ll be there from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., so stop by and say hi. Bring your questions, comments, concerns and, most importantly, ideas too. Learn more here.
I’ll be announcing the schedule for the balance of the year soon.
See you Saturday!
Filed under South Milwaukee
Kids can get a free, healthy lunch at two locations this summer.
The South Milwaukee School District is again offering free lunch at the high school, through the federal Summer Food Service Program. The program started June 23, and on days when summer school is in session, they are regularly serving more than 300 kids. It continues through August 8.
Learn more here.
Also, through the resourcefulness and volunteer spirit of several area residents, lunches are also being offered at Lakeview each weekday this summer, thanks to a partnership with the Hunger Task Force and Salvation Army. Here are more details from Diane Carrier, who has helped lead the effort … the latest example of South Milwaukeeans stepping up to make a real difference.
Filed under Community, Schools, South Milwaukee
From South Milwaukee Fire Chief Joe Knitter …
At approximately 6:36PM this evening, SMFD rec’d a 9-1-1 call for a house fire at 701 Marshall Avenue. Upon arrival of SMFD units, smoke was observed coming from the second floor windows. The sole male occupant of the single-family residence had self-evacuated prior to our arrival. Crews entered the building and discovered a fire burning in a bathroom on the second floor. The entire second floor, with the exception of two bedrooms to which the doors were closed, suffered extensive smoke damage. The bathroom suffered damage from the fire, as well as damage from the water used to extinguish the fire. The first floor suffered moderate smoke and water damage. Due to the damage, the occupant was told he could not stay in the house this evening and was offered assistance from the American Red Cross, which he refused stating he had family he could rely on.
The fire was contained to the second floor bathroom. The probable cause of the fire is careless use of smoking materials based on statements made by the male occupant. No injuries were reported.
Thanks to our firefighters for their continued service, keeping us safe from harm.
(And thanks to Working Still Photos for the images.)
Filed under Fire, South Milwaukee
“After a detailed examination of the scene and interviews with the occupants and witnesses, the area of origin of the fire has been identified as the northwest corner of the enclosed porch. All electrical, mechanical and natural causes have been eliminated, however, the cause of the fire remains undetermined.”
Here is the full press release from the South Milwaukee Fire Department.
Filed under Fire, South Milwaukee
I’m excited about the return of outdoor movies to downtown South Milwaukee — and even more excited now I know the films that will be showing.
Guardian Credit Union — which has graciously donated to make this event happen — has chosen three great titles for the Thursday evening flicks following the South Milwaukee Downtown Market …
So, mark your calendars, and stay tuned for more information as the movies get closer.
(FYI: Don’t remember “Hocus Pocus”? Here is more information on what sounds like a fun family-friendly Halloween movie, which caps off the market’s annual season-ending Fall Family Festival event.)
Check out these South Shore headlines …
Filed under Headlines, South Milwaukee
Update: Check out coverage from WISN, TMJ4, CBS 58 and Fox 6. And you can see more photos on this Facebook page.
From South Milwaukee Fire Chief Joe Knitter, who also shared the stunning photo above …
At 7:37 this evening, SMFD received a 9-1-1 report of a house on fire at 829 Marquette Avenue. Upon arrival of SMPD and SMFD, heavy fire was venting from the first floor windows and rapidly extending to the 2nd floor. All occupants had self-evacuated from the house prior to our arrival. Due to the amount of fire present, an exterior attack was used to knock down the majority of the fire until safe entry could be made to extinguish the rest of the fire on the first and second floors and the attic. Extensive overhaul was required and accomplished by mutual aid companies. A MABAS Box Alarm was called to maintain sufficient staffing levels at the scene and in our station to cover subsequent calls. As a point of notice, we receive a Town of Raymond ambulance and Hales Corner Engine and Chief to stand by at our station during incidents such as this, along with numerous companies to the scene.
No injuries to the occupants or firefighters have been reported. The origin and cause of the fire is under investigation. Due to the time of day, extent of damage, and rapid fire spread, the State Fire Marshall’s office has been notified and will be at the scene tomorrow morning at 9AM to assist in the investigation.
I’ll keep you posted.
Filed under South Milwaukee
Thankfully, everyone got out safe following the house fire at Ninth and Marquette Avenues this evening. Please keep this family in your prayers — and thank a firefighter. I will post more details when I get them.
Filed under Fire, South Milwaukee
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.
Filed under Schools, South Milwaukee, Sports
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.
Filed under South Milwaukee
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 …
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.
Filed under City Council, South Milwaukee
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!
Filed under Community, South Milwaukee
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:
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!
Filed under Community, Parks, South Milwaukee
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!
Filed under City Council, Community, South Milwaukee
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.”
Filed under South Milwaukee
