by | June 4, 2011 · 9:20 pm

Shots Fired Outside The Frozen Rope … Again

Gunshots were fired outside The Frozen Rope bar early Saturday morning — for the second time in 10 weeks.

I don’t have a lot of other confirmed details at this point, but apparently no one was hit or injured by the gunfire.

I’ll keep you posted when I learn more.

You’ll recall that the City Council voted in May to shut down The Frozen Rope for 14 days following a series of police calls to the bar and complaints from neighbors. The earlier problems culminated with a shooting outside the tavern on March 26.

The council voted 6-1 in favor of the two-week license suspension. I was the no vote. I didn’t think the penalty was stiff enough for a bar that clearly had serious problems for a number of months — problems that had neighbors saying they were scared to live near the establishment.

Learn more in my previous post.

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by | June 3, 2011 · 11:35 pm

A New and Improved “Front Door” … Do Your Part to Spruce Up City Hall on Saturday

Have a couple hours to spare on a beautiful Saturday?

Here’s an idea: Use them to help improve the look of City Hall as part of the beautification project being led by City Clerk Jim Shelenske.

The landscaping and other work begins at 9 a.m., and lunch will be served.

Learn more in my previous post.

I give Jim a huge amount of credit for pulling this together. Yes, as city clerk, City Hall maintenance is in his job description. But he could just as easily maintained the status quo of the building and been content with its bland, at best, appearance.

But that’s not Jim, as many of my blog readers know. He is a doer, and our community should be grateful for it.

Add in the fact that no taxpayer dollars are going toward this project — I, for example, am happy to be giving $100 for the work — and it’s doubly cool.

I can’t wait to see the end result. See you Saturday!

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by | June 3, 2011 · 11:24 pm

Art on the Avenue: A Closer Look at Downtown’s Newest Merchant

The Bay View Compass has a nice feature on Brian Nau, owner of Being Nau, a new art gallery and boutique that opened Friday at 907 Milwaukee Avenue.

I’ve met Brian a couple of times, and his energy and enthusiasm for South Milwaukee are infectious.

Indeed, according to the Compass:

He believes downtown South Milwaukee has the potential to evolve into “a little Cedarburg” and defines success as increasing arts awareness—“to bring that glimmer of pride to our community, to know that people are interested in the community, and bring commerce to the avenue so it doesn’t become a ghost town.

I wish Brian nothing but the best … and share his enthusiasm.

Welcome to South Milwaukee, Brian!

(Also, welcome to Dowling Community Acupuncture, which also just opened in the 900 block of Milwaukee Avenue. The business moved from Bay View. Check out the Compass story here.)

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by | June 3, 2011 · 11:17 pm

Ride for the Arts Rides Through South Milwaukee … and Other Local Headlines of Interest

The United Performing Arts Fund Ride for the Arts weaves its way through South Milwaukee on Sunday … and let’s not understate what these types of events can mean for the city.

In past years, more than 2,500 riders have taken the 25-mile route (the Ride’s most popular) through our great city. That’s 2,500 chances to show outsiders a little something about what we’re about.

That’s why I’m glad to see the route go through some of South Milwaukee’s most picturesque neighborhoods around Grant Park. We’re putting our best foot forward, and let’s hope some of the cyclists take notice.

See the route here, and this story in the Journal Sentinel is about the first-time route over the Hoan Bridge.

And check out these headlines from around the South Shore:

Also, County Supervisor Pat Jursik has published her monthly news update, and state Sen. Chris Larson has published his weekly newsletter … sign up for it here.

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by | June 2, 2011 · 8:15 am

It’s Market Day!

The South Milwaukee Downtown Market begins its third season today with some great music, food and fun.

The market runs from 3 to 7 p.m. every Thursday through Oct. 13, and we’re located at 11th and Milwaukee Avenue.

Choir Fight — the first of five concerts presented by the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center — plays the market starting at 5:30 p.m.

Learn more at the market website: http://www.smdowntownmarket.org.

As co-founder of the market, it’s been a pleasure seeing the market grow as it has in such a short time, and I feel great about its future. We have laid the foundation for a hugely successful event for a long time to come — one that I hope will continue to breathe new life into our city center.

See you there!

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by | May 30, 2011 · 9:57 pm

Catching up on Buddy’s Plight and Other Stories From the Past Several Days …

I’m back to blogging, and I hope your Memorial Day weekend was a good one.

Catching up on the past few days must start with the effort to help Buddy, the dog who helped guide a w0uld-be rescuer to his own buried in the snow during the February blizzard.

Apparently, Buddy is suffering from Lyme Disease and isn’t doing too well.

Learn more in this Journal Sentinel story.

And check out these other headlines of interest …

Also, Supervisor Pat Jursik and other local leaders will be speaking on developing the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor on June 8 in Wind Point. Learn more in the press release here. And City Clerk Jim Shelenske has published his monthly eVents newsletter, with information on a variety of happenings around town. Learn more at his website: www.southmilwaukee.org.

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by | May 26, 2011 · 1:39 pm

Taking a Few Days Off From Blogging … and Happy Memorial Day

I’ll be taking the holiday weekend off from blogging and returning next week.

In the meantime, have a safe and happy Memorial Day and keep our fallen military heroes in your prayers.

Thanks for reading! I hope you like what you see here. If you do, please tell your family and friends.

And don’t forget about the Memorial Day parade starting at 10 a.m. on Monday. The parade, which is put on by the South Milwaukee Veterans Council, starts at Divine Mercy (St. Mary’s) on 13th Avenue and continues to Veterans Memorial Park on 10th Avenue near Rawson.

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by | May 26, 2011 · 1:33 pm

Less Than a Week Until the Market!

Produce, organics, arts, crafts, prepared food and more – including weekly live music and a partnership with the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center.

The South Milwaukee Downtown Market begins its third season on Thursday, June 2, with more than 50 vendors already signed up.

The market’s 20-week summer schedule runs through Oct. 13. It will again be held on Thursdays from to 3 to 7 p.m. and located on 11th Avenue south of Milwaukee Avenue, across from Bucyrus International near the heart of South Milwaukee’s city center.

The market features a number of upgrades for 2011, including:

  • A five-concert series presented by the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center, with top acts planned for the first Thursday of every month. Popular local band Choir Fight will play opening night.
  • Other weekly live music acts, including a variety of up-and-coming local artists;
  • A new on-site stage built by local Boy Scout Tommy Mitchell; and
  • Landscape improvements allowing for an expansion of the market’s seating area.

Check out the full press release here, and be sure to join us on Facebook (search: South Milwaukee Downown Market) and follow us on Twitter (#SouthMilwMarket). And visit our website at www.smdowntownmarket.org.

I hope to see you there!

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by | May 25, 2011 · 5:03 pm

4G to the South Shore, 13th Street Construction, Bike Restoration and Other Headlines

Update: Here is a story from Muskego Patch about a South Milwaukee woman accused of stealing jewelry, and here is an Oak Creek Patch story about the first Oak Creek resident killed in the Vietnam War.

Check out these headlines of local interest …

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by | May 24, 2011 · 10:38 pm

Volunteer to Help Make Our City (Hall) Beautiful!

Got the following note from City Clerk Jim Shelenske the other day …

Dear Friends of City Hall,

To me, City Hall is more than the place where government offices are located and city meetings are held. It’s also a symbol, the front door to a community, a place where newcomers build their first impressions of South Milwaukee and a place that current residents point to with pride.

That’s why we need City Hall to have a vibrant and welcoming appearance. With this in mind, the City Hall Beautification Project is well under way!

We have the blueprints and the materials, now we need YOU!  Please join us Saturday, June 4th at 9:00am in front of City Hall.  Bring your shovels, gloves, and gardening tools, and volunteer a few hours to help us plant flowers, trees, and shrubs.  The materials have been purchased thanks to generous donations from the S.M. Lions Club and the Chamber of Commerce.

When the work is done, I will provide brats, chips, and soda for everyone.

I hope you join us in supporting this important project and make an investment in the future of South Milwaukee. We deserve a vibrant and beautiful City Hall. Help us make that happen.

Let’s get that front door looking its best!

Thank you,

Jim Shelenske

I you can join us!

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by | May 24, 2011 · 2:27 pm

Police: Domestic Violence Fueled City’s Second Shooting in Two Days

A 32-year-old man was shot following an alleged domestic disturbance Tuesday morning in the 600 block of Michigan Avenue, South Milwaukee police said.

Check out the press release here.

The man was listed in good condition at Froedtert Hospital, according to the release. A 60-year-old man was taken into custody.

This is the second shooting in South Milwaukee this week. Here are details on the other.

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by | May 23, 2011 · 1:49 pm

Shooting (Possibly Accidental) Reported

A 30-year-old South Milwaukee man reported that he accidentally shot himself Sunday night in his home in the 1300 block of Monroe Avenue.

The man’s condition is not known, and police are investigating.

Check out the press release here.

I will keep you posted if and when I learn more.

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by | May 21, 2011 · 8:55 pm

FEMA Makes Costly Blizzard a Bit Less Costly

The Blizzard of ’11 just got a bit less painful. A bit.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state have awarded South Milwaukee $52,083.69 to help defray costs related to the February 2 snow emergency declaration.

Most of the funds will help reimburse the city for Street Department costs.

Thanks to Jackie Ove, our emergency management director, and her team for doing a lot of the leg work to make this happen. The funds are much appreciated, and they will certainly help ease the unexpected budget pain this storm caused.

Of course, we’re not alone in getting FEMA funds for this historic storm. Here is a story from Walworth County, for example. Individuals have also received funds … and some have had to pay them back.

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by | May 21, 2011 · 8:50 pm

Oak Creek Standoff, Oak Creek Water, Local Jobs, Bucyrus Sustainability and Other Headlines

Check out these headlines of local interest:

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by | May 20, 2011 · 11:12 pm

Feds Clear Caterpillar’s Acquisition of Bucyrus

As expected, the U.S. Justice Department has cleared the Caterpillar-Bucyrus deal.

Here is the press release, and here is an item from WISN. From the release:

The DOJ action, in addition to the expiration of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act waiting period, concludes the antitrust review process in the United States.  The clearance by the DOJ will allow the acquisition, valued at approximately $8.6 billion (including net debt), to proceed as soon as all other conditions to closing have been satisfied. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2011.  

What do you think of the deal and its potential impacts on South Milwaukee? Post your comments below!

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