by | December 17, 2013 · 9:49 pm

Four Hurt In Cudahy Fire And Other Headlines

Check out these South Shore headlines …

And NOW has published a new police blotter, including this disturbing road rage incident …

A 26-year-old South Milwaukee man was charged with disorderly conduct and use of a dangerous weapon after a road rage incident at about 1:15 p.m. Dec. 5 in the 1300 block of Madison Avenue. The man allegedly left his vehicle and pointed a gun at a 31-year-old South Milwaukee man.

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by | December 17, 2013 · 9:36 pm

Running With A South Milwaukee Love Story

A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter and blogger has a well-done piece on how running brought together a former South Milwaukeean and her new husband.

Here is the feature on Jennee Molus. From it:

Jennee was running the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon as part of UWM’s Team Paws; Dan was running the Chicago Marathon.

“I used these two races to suggest meeting for dinner to load up on carbohydrates together the night before our races,” said Dan.

“Eventually we stopped calling them carb-loading dinners and started calling them dates when we ran out of races. We got to know each other on short runs that we would take around the neighborhood, ones that inevitably always snaked through Humboldt Park. At some point we didn’t need to use running as an excuse anymore to spend time with each other, but we continued to train together.” 

Dan proposed in February and the wedding was October 5, the anniversary of the pre-race, carb-loading dinner before their marathons. The theme of the wedding? Running and Ragnar. 

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by | December 16, 2013 · 10:39 pm

12 Days Of South Milwaukee Christmas: Local Chains (Especially Ace Hardware)

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.

That’s why I’m willing to pay more to shop there. It’s worth it.

I was recently part of a panel discussion at the Milwaukee Forum about chain vs. local shopping. My argument: It’s not an “either-or” argument. It’s “both-and.” There is room for both chain and local retailers.

Ace is the best of both worlds.

Here is the Ace website. And here is my 2012 12 Days post on this.

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by | December 15, 2013 · 5:28 pm

12 Days Of South Milwaukee Christmas: Studio One Art Glass

Now, a closer look at my favorite local artisan shop: 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.

Stop by and discover Studio One, if you haven’t already. It’s a real gem … and a great example of the type of destination retail business I’d love to see more of in South Milwaukee.

Here is their website, and here is my 2012 12 Days post on Studio One.

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by | December 15, 2013 · 5:19 pm

Automated Water Meters On The Way

Automated water meters are being installed across the city.

The project began this spring and will continue for the next several years.

Learn more on the city website. From it:

The Utility plans to replace or retrofit all of its water meters with automated meters.  This will increase meter reading efficiency in addition to providing meaningful real time data for customers.  South Milwaukee Water Utility will be able to remotely read all of our customers from one location without physically having to read your meter on site.  The Utility will have the ability to catch a customer’s leak in a timely manner, instead of waiting until the next meter reading, helping conserve water and save customers from a potential high bill.

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by | December 13, 2013 · 10:54 pm

South Shore Steps Up To Help Family Of Woman Killed In Crash

Two local events are planned to benefit the family of Tammy Gawlitta, the mother of four who was killed in a traffic accident during last weekend’s snowstorm.

The first is Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Paisano’s in South Milwaukee, as the restaurant offers six different dinners for $10 each that night — with all proceeds from those meals benefiting the family.

Paisano’s is located at 113 N. Chicago Ave.

Here is the Facebook event page.

Also, there is a second event on Dec. 26 at Country Club in Cudahy, 5928 S. Packard Ave. Here is that Facebook event.

And here is the Tammy Gorecki-Gawlitta Family Support Facebook page.

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by | December 13, 2013 · 10:33 pm

Nice Honor For South Milwaukee Football Coach And Other Headlines

Check out these South Shore headlines …

Also, NOW has published a new police blotter, including this item …

A 33-year-old South Milwaukee man was charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing after allegedly threatening patrons with a gun at Spirits Tavern, 922 Milwaukee Ave., at about 5 p.m. Dec. 1. The man was found and subdued by officers shortly afterward in an alley behind the 900 block of Monroe Avenue.

And South Shore Supervisor Pat Jursik is leading an effort against Southridge Mall changing the location of its bus stop. Check out press releases and a petition here, and here is the Facebook page devoted to the effort.

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by | December 12, 2013 · 10:39 pm

12 Days Of South Milwaukee Christmas: Local Eats

Continuing to shine the light on local businesses this holiday season …

Why not give the gift of food this Christmas?

Azteca, Nona’s, China Chef, Creative Catering — those are just a few of our great local restaurants that are worth a trip, perhaps for a gift certificate or a holiday dinner.

My 2012 post has more details, keeping in mind that I can’t list every restaurant in town … just a few of my favorites.

What’s your favorite? Post your comments below!

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by | December 11, 2013 · 10:16 pm

Preview Your South Milwaukee Tax Bill

Property tax bills are arriving soon, and may have arrived for some.

If you haven’t received your bill yet, you can view it online via the city website.

Check out the tool here.

As I’ve written about, with the 2014 budget passed by the South Milwaukee City Council and other taxing entities, it is likely your tax bill will go down next year — likely, but not guaranteed.

See for yourself online … and post your comments below.

My bill? It looks like it will be falling from $4,288.25 last year to $4,209.83, or a decrease of 1.8%. I’m proud to support a budget that allows for this.

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by | December 10, 2013 · 9:38 pm

Former Alderman Don Stewart Passes Away At Age 64

The South Shore has lost a strong community servant.

Donald Stewart, a former Fourth District alderman in South Milwaukee, passed away too soon on Saturday. He was 64.

From his obituary …

Born into a military family, Don and his siblings moved frequently, but grew up predominantly in Beech Grove, Indiana, where he graduated from Cathedral High School in 1967. He went on to earn a degree in psychology at Indiana University in Indianapolis. After working at Eli Lilly and Co for 27 years as a sales representative, he retired in 2004. Don filled his time golfing and fishing. Along with serving as the current treasurer for the Cudahy Chamber of Commerce, he also prided himself in serving as an Alderman for South Milwaukee and on the Board of Directors for the Peoples Credit Union and the South Milwaukee Human Concerns.

Please keep Don’s family in your prayers.

Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at Molthen-Bell & Son Funeral Home, 700 Milwaukee Ave. The funeral service is at 7 p.m., with a private interment.

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by | December 10, 2013 · 9:24 pm

South Milwaukee PAC Update: Arts Bring Diverse Audiences & Artists Together In One Day, One Place

Big happenings on Wednesday at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center … 

The South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center (SMPAC) is living up to its mission of creative, innovative and diverse programming on Wednesday, December 11, by bringing together five professional a cappella singers from Leipzig, Germany, 30 South Milwaukee high school choir students, a theatre company from Walker’s Point and 1,000 Milwaukee public elementary school students.

The a cappella ensemble, Calmus, will meet with South Milwaukee High School choir students at 7:30 a.m. and again at 6:00 p.m. for two hour-long educational workshops. At 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon, the Skai Academy of Performing Arts, a Walker’s Point theatre company, will perform “The Snow Queen” musical for students visiting from several Milwaukee Public Schools. Calmus will perform live on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. as part of the SMPAC’s 2013-14 Performing Arts Series.

The South Milwaukee PAC is bringing these diverse audiences and artists together in one day, in one place, to provide meaningful arts experiences for students and people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life. The SMPAC blends public education interests with professional performing arts in innovative ways that create new relationships, strong bonds and positive synergies.

Learn more at the South Milwaukee PAC website.

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by | December 7, 2013 · 10:40 pm

No One Hurt In Willowcrest Laundry Room Fire

This from the South Milwaukee Fire Department …

On Friday night at 23:26 (11:26 PM) the South Milwaukee Fire Department received a call for a fire at Willowcrest Nursing Home. On arrival we encountered an active fire in the laundry room. Firefighters from South Milwaukee advanced hose into the fire room and were able to extinguish the fire quickly. We utilized our mutual aid agreement (working still) with Oak Creek, Cudahy, Saint Francis and the 128th Air National Guard who assisted in moving nursing home patients to protected areas of the nursing home away from the fire. With the frigid weather, evacuation of patients (all of which have mobility issues) was not an option. Nursing home staff and the South Milwaukee Police were also active participants in the patient movement.

The fact that the facility is protected by a well maintained sprinkler system (which activated) is a major contributor to the success of this event. There was an active fire in the laundry room!!! The sprinkler system kept the fire isolated allowing us the window we needed to advance hose and extinguish the fire (which is labor intensive). Without the sprinkler system, combined with the aggressive action by our firefighters this fire would have been catastrophic.    

The cause is still under investigation and the Fire Chief can update anyone interested when he returns.   

At this time there are no injuries to firefighters or civilians to report.

Thanks again to our firefighters for putting their lives on the line every day to keep us safe … and thank God no one was hurt.

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by | December 7, 2013 · 10:32 pm

12 Days Of South Milwaukee Christmas: Local Children’s Books

Halfway through the local Christmas shopping list, and I’m checking it twice …

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. And here is my 2012 12 Days post. Janet also has a Facebook page.

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by | December 6, 2013 · 3:52 pm

Feaste Tickets Still Available

Passing on a note from the school district …

Tickets are still available – but must be ordered by Tuesday — for the 35th annual Ye Olde Christmas Feaste set for Dec. 14 and 15 at South Milwaukee High School.

Join the South Milwaukee Music Department and South Milwaukee Music Parents Association in the merriment and joy that the holidays bring.  Join us in transporting back to 15th Century Rennaissance England with a six course dinner with live vocal, string, woodwind and brass entertainment to delight you.

Tickets are $30 for a single and $150 for a table of six (discounted rate).

Ticket order forms available on www.rocketmusic.org ,and you can drop off the form and payment by end of day Tuesday at the main high school office, door 9.

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by | December 5, 2013 · 10:33 pm

12 Days Of South Milwaukee Christmas: Physical Fitness And Health

Update: Don’t forget Anytime Fitness, too. There is information in the comments section of this post.

Why not give the gift of good health this holiday season?

My 2012 12 Days post talks about some of the local options, including Sorce Martial Arts, Anchor Fitness and Dowling Community Acupuncture. I’ll add a few more to that list …

  • Moxie Fitness, 1234 Milwaukee Ave. Here is my previous post on Moxie, which opened earlier this year.
  • South Milwaukee Fitness Center (located on the high school campus). My dad is a member, and it’s very affordable.
  • South Shore YMCA. OK, this is across College Avenue from South Milwaukee, but it’s worth a plug here.

In other words, there are lots of local choices for those focused on wellness in 2014. Take advantage of them.

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