South Milwaukee Blog

The South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center open its 15th anniversary year with an “interactive art and music experience … a unique visual journey packed with wild inspiration, creativity and fun,” as “Artrageous” comes to town on Saturday, Sept. 21.

Check out the full season schedule here. It’s impressive, again.

From the South Milwaukee PAC website, on Artrageous …

Imagine an artist creating a masterpiece before your eyes in mere moments. With a palette that also mixes captivating vocals, intricate choreography and exciting audience interaction, Artrageous takes you on a unique visual journey packed with wild inspiration, creativity and fun! The Artrageous troupe of artists, musicians, singers and dancers pay tribute to a variety of art forms, pop icons and musical genres culminating in a gallery of fabulous finished paintings. The result? A one-of-a-kind crossover experience! The signature of Artrageous is interaction and engagement. Part art studio. Part rock concert. Part creation lab. Come be a part of the show!

Attend the pre-show social prior to this performance at 6 pm to celebrate our 15 years of enriching lives. Bring a few bucks for a bite to eat before the show.

Bring a T-shirt, cap, pair of shoes, anything smaller than a toaster… (or purchase something at the event) to get custom Splattered by an Artrageous Artist in their one-of-a-kind Splatter Station! The Splatter Station happens at the end of the performance. The stage is set up as a Live Art Gallery with all of the ArtWork that is created during the show. The audience is invited to come up and view the paintings, meet the troupe, take selfies and visit the Splatter Station. It is a completely enclosed area where one of our Artists hand splatters items that folks have brought (or get something from our merch station). Walk away with an original piece of art!

Tickets go on sale July 9, Adult $45-$35, Senior $42-$32, Student $20-$15

For all ages. 90 minutes with intermission.

The Hammer is back in South Milwaukee.

Tarek Slusar threw for two touchdowns — one to his cousin, Anthony — and Jeremiah Anderson, filling in for his injured older brother, ran for two scores as the Rockets scored 28 unanswered points to beat Cudahy, 28-14, Friday at Spaltholz Field.

More game details here.

South Milwaukee moved to 2-1 with the win. Next up, at Whitnall on Friday, followed by Homecoming week against Pius XI. Go Rockets!

An exhibition that pays homage to “the most significant engineering marvels in Milwaukee’s history” would not be complete without items from South Milwaukee, and the company that defined our city for generations.

That’s why it was exciting to hear the Grohmann Museum will be featuring several items from the South Milwaukee Industrial Museum collection, including a scale model of a Bucyrus dragline.

The South Milwaukee Industrial Museum partnered with Grohmann on the exhibit. They are using the Bucyrus display cases to add a unique industrial look to the entire show.

The exhibit opens on Friday and continues through Dec. 22. It is open daily at 1000 N. Broadway, on the campus of the Milwaukee School of Engineering. More details on the exhibit here.

From it …

Have you ever used a QWERTY keyboard? Ridden a motorcycle? Adjusted the thermostat? Been a passenger on a boat with an outboard motor? If answering ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you have a Milwaukee engineer/inventor to thank. See, all of these marvels, and many more, originated in Milwaukee. From household names like the Sawzall, to more arcane developments like DESCO’s diving apparatus, Magnificent Machines of Milwaukee seeks to highlight not only Milwaukee-born equipment and machinery, but also the engineers who created them.  

This exhibition will feature some of the most significant engineering marvels in Milwaukee’s history and will include photographs, documents, ephemera and a number of the actual machines highlighted in the book of the same name by engineer Thomas Fehring, who also serves as guest curator. Nash automobiles, Merkel motorcycles, Evinrude outboards, Johnson Controls environmental systems, Masterlock locks, and Stereo-Realist cameras—these are but a few of the Magnificent Machines of Milwaukee; a one-of-a-kind exhibit filled with one-of-a-kind inventions.

Don’t forget, you can learn more about, and support, the South Milwaukee Industrial Museum efforts here and here.

The South Milwaukee Common Council and South Milwaukee School Board voted unanimously this week in support of resolutions speaking out against the proposed Milwaukee County Transit System route cuts — cuts that would eliminate two of the three lines that serve our city.

The resolution the City Council passed on Tuesday — similar to one the School Board passed on Wednesday — follows … and I call on other local governments to pass similar resolutions speaking out against this.

This won’t be the last word from us, as we partner with other local leaders to tell this story, and stand up, together. Bring it on!

WHEREAS, Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) bus service is an important and valued part of the City of South Milwaukee and the entire South Shore, offering safe and affordable transportation to hundreds of people each day, connecting workers with jobs, residents with services, students with school and more;

WHEREAS, MCTS has proposed cuts to its 2020 budget that include elimination of 16 of its 51 routes, including Routes 48 and 52 in South Milwaukee, as well as reductions in services to routes 55 and 80 serving other southern communities. This is in addition to the elimination of five routes last spring, including school routes serving St. Francis and Cudahy. Combined with additional cuts in previous years, reductions in service, and increased fares, this is a continuing “death spiral” for local transit.;

WHEREAS, the cutting of these routes will significantly harm the South Shore. As just one example, dozens of high school and middle school students are among the nearly 200 riders of Route 52 each day. Eliminating it would leave only Route 15 to serve these students, with the closest stop a half mile away from school campuses;

WHEREAS, the broader communities of St. Francis, Cudahy, Oak Creek and Milwaukee’s South Side are also directly affected by the cancellation of these routes, and each will have see their own significant impacts. For example, cutting Route 48, a Freeway Flyer, would impact close to 100 commuters each day from South Milwaukee, Cudahy, St. Francis, Bay View and other areas who use it to travel to and from work.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Mayor Erik Brooks and the South Milwaukee Common Council, hereby call upon county government leaders to restore these routes and, rather than reduce service, invest in public transportation as a means to serve our constituents, drive economic growth, and connect communities.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we call upon leaders in state government to get behind mass transit as an important part of a multi-modal transportation system, and to support local governments in their work to adequately fund this and other vital services. This includes giving local governments the financial support and flexibility they need to deliver the services their residents and business owners expect and demand. Allow and enable cities, villages, towns, counties and school boards do their jobs. 

From the South Milwaukee Police Department …

On 09/04/2019 at about 11:09am, the SMPD received a call from a resident in the 800blk of Sycamore that a subject was trying to steal her motorcycle. Upon being confronted by the owner, the two suspects fled the area in a silver vehicle. An officer attempted to stop the vehicle at which time it fled at a high rate of speed. After a few blocks, a supervisor terminated the pursuit. Shortly thereafter, officers were alerted by a passing motorist of a crash at the intersection of Pennsylvania/Rawson.

Upon arrival to the area, witnesses alerted officers that two subjects fled in different directions on foot from the suspect vehicle. A K-9 unit from the St. Francis PD was able to locate one of the suspects nearby in a wooded area. The arrested subject is a 25yr old Milwaukee resident. The SMPD was also assisted by the Greenfield PD with a drone, a Milwaukee County Sheriff K-9, and the Oak Creek and Cudahy Police Departments.

A citizen involved in the crash was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

A known suspect who remains at large was described as a younger, male Hispanic, wearing shorts, no shirt, and barefoot. Persons who may have witnessed the accident are encouraged to call the SMPD at 768-8060.

Catching up from the holiday weekend …

First, this from the South Milwaukee Fire Department …

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At approximately 2:15 this afternoon (August 31), SMFD was notified of a fire burning behind the steel facade in front of the former Sunrise Restaurant. Contractors removing the signage from the building noticed smoke coming from the overhang and walked to the fire station to report the fire. Arriving SMFD units discovered smoke issuing from the facade area and vents and fire burning behind the steel siding. Extra resources from our mutual aid partners were initially requested, but were released once the area was opened up and the fire was under control. The fire was contained to the area seen in the accompanying photos. No injuries were reported. SMFD also responded to two additional EMS calls during his time.

And check out these other headlines …

• Traveling Kettle Corn Operation is a Sweet Family Business, But Came With a Learning Curve (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) … a story about one of the first South Milwaukee Downtown Market vendors.
• Cudahy Lifts Pit Bull Restrictions (CBS 58)

Thanks to the South Milwaukee/St. Francis Health Department for organizing this event. I hope to see you there!

Why not? Note that the festivities are on the Saturday before Thanksgiving this year, due to the lateness of the holiday.

Start making your plans now … including those parade entries, for the return of the Lighted Christmas Parade!

• 3-6 p.m. City Hall activities – food, crafts, movies, and visits with Santa, followed by the city tree lighting ceremony.
• 6 p.m. Lighted Christmas Parade, presented by South Milwaukee Lions. 15th Avenue near City Hall.

More details to come. Happy holidays!

More details on the South Milwaukee Lions event …

Former Wisconsin Gov. Schreiber to speak about caregivers and caregiving at open community event associated with the South Milwaukee Lions Club. The Lions Club has been serving the South Milwaukee community since 1937 with the mission to empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding.

Former Wisconsin Gov. Martin J. Schreiber continues the most important campaign of his life when he visits the South Milwaukee City Hall (2424 15 th Avenue, South Milwaukee, WI 53172) on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, at 6 p.m. to talk about the challenges of being a caregiver. Registration is recommended if individuals anticipate attending the Lions.

Club meeting immediately following the presentation (around 7pm) to learn more about the club and their motto “WE SERVE”. For questions about the event or meeting RSVP without a computer, please call 414-768-8055 x 3. RSVP online as a guest for the Lions Club meeting immediately following the presentation at:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090e45a9ac23aa8-11sept

At the 11-Sept event, Schreiber will share what he has learned, which is included in his award-winning book, “My Two Elaines: Learning, Coping, and Surviving as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver,” so others don’t experience the learning curve he did. The free presentation will include time for questions and suggestions from other caregivers.

“My Two Elaines” will be available for purchase in both book form and as a set of three CDs, narrated by Schreiber and his children. Net proceeds from sales are used to promote Alzheimer’s caregiver support. “My Two Elaines” is a guide for Alzheimer’s families and caregivers as well as a love story that spans more than 60 years. Schreiber’s wife Elaine was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease 11 years ago and since then, he has worked tirelessly to be a caregiver and loving spouse to someone who no longer recognizes him. He refers to the woman with whom he fell in love in high school, married, raised a family and ran political campaigns as his first Elaine, and today’s sweet, sensitive woman who remembers nothing about their past as his second. He speaks about the need for caregivers to build support systems and self-care, which are among the things he failed to do early on.

Like many thrown into the role as a caregiver for Alzheimer’s or other diseases, Schreiber knew little about the disease and how to be an effective caregiver. What he found most disturbing was that even healthcare providers don’t know the degree to which Alzheimer’s affects the person who lives with it and his or her family. “If Alzheimer’s is bad, ignorance of the disease is worse,” he said.

Visit http://www.mytwoelaines.com or http://www.smlions.org for more information.

Make your plans now for you and your groups!

Thanks to the Beautification Committee for organizing this, and to the South Milwaukee Lions for doing the lunchtime grilling.

Bringing a big group? Let me know at brooks@smwi.org. Or just show up. Here is the official Facebook event listing.

From the South Milwaukee and St. Francis Health Department …

After looking at the radar and assessing the Nojoshing Trail we have decided to cancel the Firefly Walk for tonight. Once the date has been rescheduled we will let you know. Thanks everyone!

Downtown came alive Thursday night, as more than 100 people watched Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys perform at the South Milwaukee Downtown Market.

It was a terrific atmosphere. The energy was real.

As mayor, it was a beautiful sight.

But as I sat there and took it all in, I couldn’t help but think what this might look like a year or two from now – once a grander vision for this space is realized and it becomes the special community gathering and event space it can and should be, the space our downtown (our city) deserves.

I’m happy to say we’re now on that path.

On Tuesday, the South Milwaukee Common Council unanimously approved a motion for city staff to draft and issue a request for proposals for concept designs at the city-owned properties at 2109 11^th Ave. and 1014-1028 Madison Ave. for public/institutional use

To be clear, this is not the final word on the site, and the council must still approve selection of a planning firm and any actual dollar investment in the space. But it’s a great start — a positive first step into making this site into a special, and lasting, redevelopment.

This is the almost ¾ of an acre of property at 11^th and Madison used by the South Milwaukee Downtown Market and a variety of special events, from food truck festivals to Crusherfest to the Restore the Lagoon Festival this Saturday. In the recent past, we’ve also had outdoor movies there.

The space was previously home to a couple of bars and other businesses before the city, in 2005, began acquiring the properties as part of a tax incremental financing district — the same TID that will help fund redevelopment of the site as a public space — and razed them.

There was minimal interest over the years in redeveloping the parcel. As we marketed the site, the Market also invested in the space, with a wooden stage built as part of an Eagle Scout project, and picnic tables. Still, 2/3 of it has remained undeveloped.

Under these new plans, the entire site would come to life.

My vision: Transform it into something that will serve as an everyday gathering place and special event hub.

Among the uses we’ll look at as we begin this planning process this fall, in partnership with organizations like the South Milwaukee Downtown Market, Lions Club, Bucyrus Foundation and others, and at least partially funded through TIF …

• Incorporation of market and green space;
• Permanent restrooms;
• Future band shell/sound amplifying capabilities;
• Additional parking;
• Buildings for quasi-public or institutional use;
• Landscaping or other open space improvements like lighting; and
• Possible child’s play area.

I also hope to celebrate our city’s history in this space, led by Bucyrus and the role it and South Milwaukee played in moving earth across the globe.

That said, I really don’t want to be too prescriptive in this process. Ideas will be welcome. Community involvement will be key. This will be your space, a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our downtown.

And when you combine it with the more than $1.5 million Milwaukee Avenue streetscaping effort, the city is stepping up investment in our city center like never before.

The momentum continues to build.

More details in this NOW article.

Go Rockets! More details here.

After the Restore the Lagoon Festival, check this event out …