South Milwaukee Blog

Links updated.

From the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commisssion …

2018 will be a big year for this ongoing effort — stay tuned for more details.

The link below is an update from the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) staff on the field work progress made in 2017 for the Oak Creek Watershed Restoration Plan.

Field work is complete for the Oak Creek mainstem and its two main tributaries, the North Branch and the Mitchell Field Drainage Ditch. This information will all contribute to the watershed restoration planning process for Oak Creek.

Access the update under “Plan Progress – Fieldwork Progress 2017” or click here for a direct download of the update file.

Also be on the lookout for the next Oak Creek Watershed Restoration Plan stakeholder meeting in February 2018. More details to come. 

Hard to believe, but 2018 marks the 10th season of the South Milwaukee Downtown Market. I’m proud to have played a small role in its early success — and excited to see how it’s grown over the years.

Two new indoor markets have been announced, for Sunday, Feb. 4, and Sunday, March 18, at South Milwaukee High School. And the summer season opens May 31.

The market has become a community staple, an iconic event that is uniquely South Milwaukee, and something for which we are becoming famous as a city.

Thanks to all of the volunteers who make it happen, starting with the board and Chairwoman Carol Rehak, and manager Tony Bloom. And thanks to the vendors who bring the vision we created 10 years ago to life every day.

Area residents looking for a unique shopping experience travel to downtown South Milwaukee, where they find an eclectic mix of merchants selling fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, flowers, art, jewelry and everything in between. They also find a sampling of area restaurants, live entertainment and special events, making the South Milwaukee Downtown Market a true destination for families, foodies and everyone in between.

It’s a simple yet ambitious vision – one we bring to life every week at the South Milwaukee Downtown Market. See for yourself, and join the dozens of local vendors and hundreds of regular customers who eagerly await each market.

See you at the two indoor markets!

Check out these South Shore headlines …

• South Milwaukee Man Arrested Twice in Four Hours, Accused of OWI (WISN)
• Fall Nominees for 2018 Journal Sentinel High School Sports Awards (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
  • Jordan Janusiak mention
• 22 Intriguing Milwaukee Performances in Early 2018 (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• This Just Might be the Charlie Brown-est Christmas Tree in Milwaukee (On Milwaukee)
• 83 Apartments Proposed on Former Cudahy Landfill (Business Journal)
• Police Respond to Oak Creek Home Three Times in One Day. On Third Time, They Find Woman Stabbed to Death (Journal Sentinel)
• St. Francis Calls on EPA and DNR to Finish Barrel Plant Investigation and Take Action (Journal Sentinel)

And NOW has published new police blotters here and here.

I’m excited to see the diversity of youth and other programming at the South Milwaukee Public Library, including a unique partnership with a local business.

Check out the January calendar below, and information on a Pink Bunny Games Game Night. And to keep on top of what’s happening at the library throughout the year, check out their website and like their Facebook page.

I am always impressed with the variety of performances that come to the South Milwaukee PAC. And the next couple of months don’t disappoint.

Buy your tickets now for these shows …

Saturday, January 20

The Transit Vocal Band Headlines the 4th Annual Milwaukeappella 2018

Lovers of a cappella and vocal music will thrill at this year’s Milwaukappella performance, Jan. 20, 2018, at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center www.southmilwaukeepac.org.

Milwaukappella 2018 will be headlined by The Transit Vocal Band, an award-winning a cappella group featuring “American Idol” and “America’s Got Talent” finalist Adam Decker. The Transit’s diverse repertoire includes classic, soul, contemporary, alternative and family favorites. Soaring leads, smooth harmonies and deep, thumping rhythms showcase The Transit’s power and versatility.

The Transit’s 7:30 p.m. performance opens with Southeast Wisconsin-area students who attended a daylong workshop at South Milwaukee High School conducted by veteran vocal teachers and members of Transit.

Advance tickets for the evening performance start at $19 for students and seniors, $24 for adults. Family-savings packages are available. Tickets for children 4 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased on the SMPAC website, or click here: http://southmilwaukeepac.org/event/milwaukappella.

Friday, January 26

Vitaly: An Evening of Wonders

Master illusionist Vitaly Beckman has mystified fans from all over the world, including Las Vegas superstars Penn & Teller whom he successfully fooled in their TV show, Fool Us. From bringing pictures and drawings to life, to erasing people from their own driver’s licenses, Vitaly’s signature illusions leaves even the most jaded audience awestruck. Vitaly breathes innovation and artistry into the field of magic. He invented and designed every single illusion in his stage show, An Evening of Wonders, treating spectators to a theatrical entertainment not seen anywhere else in the world. You will witness the elegant rendering of the impossible, while being charmed by Vitaly’s engaging personality.

Tickets: Adult $25-$40, Senior (ages 60+) $20-$35, Student (ages 4 thru college) $10-$20.

Friday, February 16

Turtle Island Quartet: Bird’s Eye View, The Legend of Charlie Parker

Turtle Island Quartet has been a singular force in the creation of bold, new trends in chamber music for strings since its inception in 1985. Turtle Island fuses the classical quartet esthetic with contemporary American musical styles devising a performance practice that honors both. In Bird’s Eye View, the two-time GRAMMY® winning Turtle Island Quartet pays homage to the visionary brilliance of jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker. The genius of his improvisations almost single handedly catapulted jazz from pop style into art music, indelibly altering the musical landscape of America. Iconic Charlie Parker classics such as Ornithology, KoKo and Dewey Square are juxtaposed with original responses by quartet members, and intertwined with other thematic pieces from the bebop era and beyond such as Sonny Rollins’ Airegin, Bird Calls by Charlie Mingus and Too High by Stevie Wonder.

Turtle Island Quartet musicians include David Balakrishnan (violin), Alex Hargreaves (violin), Malcolm Parson (cello), and Benjamin and Von Gutzeit (viola).

Tickets: Adult $30-$45, Senior (ages 60+) $25-$40, Student (ages 4 thru college) $10-$20.

Other Performances

And these are in addition to Knightwind Ensemble Winter Concert on Feb. 11 and CYT presentation of “Mary Poppins” Feb. 22-25. Get a full schedule here.

Filing deadlines for candidates to appear on the spring 2018 ballot came and went at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, and here is how local races are shaping up …

• South Milwaukee Common Council: In the First District, incumbents Craig Maass and Frank Van Dusen will face four challengers in a Feb. 20 primary: Brett Breisemeister, Andrew Buckner, Frank Millpond Gratke and James Leavens. In the Second District, incumbents R. Patrick Stoner and Ramon Navarro face challenger Larry Pagelsdorf. Only the two incumbents are running in the Third (Lisa Pieper, Joseph Bukowski) and Fourth (David Bartoshevich and Peggy Clark) District, for two seats in each district. No primaries are needed in the Second, Third and Fourth Districts.
• South Milwaukee School Board: Incumbents David Maass and Jon Shelenske will face challenger Gratke for two seats. There will be no primary.
• Milwaukee County Board: There will be a Feb. 20 primary for the District 8 seat, with incumbent David Sartori of Cudahy facing challengers James Davies of South Milwaukee and Steven Shea of Cudahy. More details here.

Much more to come as these races get closer.

I say this a lot: South Milwaukee is full of smart, passionate people who want to make a difference. One way to do it – step up and be considered for a volunteer board or commission.

The city has more than a dozen of these groups providing oversight and guidance to various city departments and functions, and we’re always looking for new people to provide their expertise in any number of areas.

So if you have a background or interest in libraries, health, law enforcement, public safety or a number of other areas, please consider getting involved!

Right now, we have an opening on the Library Board. This is an exciting role on a board that plays a key oversight role of one of our top community institutions — one that has seen a lot of positive change recently, with more to come.

Interested? Get more details and apply here.

Even if the Library Board isn’t for you, please consider filling out the application, so we can get your name on file for future board and commission openings.

And I close with this: A heartfelt thank-you to Margaret Luczywko, who is stepping down from the board, for her distinguished service.

We have done a lot to enhance city communications in recent years. One key example: An investment in AlertSense, a platform we have used and will use going forward to communicate with residents in times of emergency.

Your landline is already in our system, but mobile phones need to be logged if you prefer (or need to) get information that way, so please consider entering those numbers, too.

Sign up here. More details on the city website …

The City of South Milwaukee, in cooperation with AlertSense^© system is pleased to offer its residents a quick and reliable way of receiving emergency messages and alerts by phone or text message. This AlertSense system has the capability of notifying residents by phone in the event of an emergency that affects your neighborhood. This is done utilizing a pre-established landline phone database. 

In the event of an emergency, you may receive an automated phone call advising you of the nature of the situation and the appropriate measures to take. The caller will always identify themselves as being with the City and may leave a phone number for you to contact for further information. An added feature of this system allows people to sign up their mobile phones or other communication devices to receive these alerts by text message.

To sign up for this free service. (NOTE: This is a free service, but normal text messaging rates based on your wireless service plan will apply.) It is not necessary to complete a registration, for a landline telephone, these numbers are currently available to the alerting system.

South Milwaukeeans always step up to help those in need — and that’s especially the case around Christmas.

Don’t know where to start? Here are some opportunities to give back.

• I always start with Human Concerns, and they are serving more people than ever. I’m told they can especially use hygiene and cleaning supplies now, but please consider giving money, too. I know they can use it not only during the holiday season, but all year long. And why not give your time?
• Interfaith — which is relaunching as UNISON after combining with SET Ministry earlier this year — is a great organization aimed at serving our seniors that just happens to be based locally at Trinity Lutheran Church (my church). Their mission: “help older adults in the neighborhood remain living in their own homes in a safe and dignified manner.”
• “We serve.” That’s our motto as South Milwaukee Lions. They can use your support throughout the year, financial and in man and woman power, to in turn give back to local organizations in need. The impact they have is real.
• The Rotary Club of Mitchell Field — serving five cities, including South Milwaukee, and Bay View — is also doing some great things, from serving Thanksgiving dinners to needy families to providing college scholarships to high school seniors, and much, much more.
• South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. Support the terrific performing arts in South Milwaukee!
• Want to support classroom and other projects in our terrific local schools? Start with South Milwaukee Legacy.
• Get behind local athletes by donating to the local sports booster clubs, or give the gift of music by donating to help the South Milwaukee Music Parents.
• Or maybe help one of the groups supporting our terrific green spaces: Friends of the Mill Pond and Oak Creek Watercourse, Friends of Grant Park or Restore the Lagoon. And how about the Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network? They are the nonprofit leading the public information efforts for the ongoing Oak Creek watershed restoration study.
• Help the South Milwaukee Historical Society preserve our proud past, for our promising future.
• Of course, you can also help by donating cash or toys for homeless kids on Christmas Eve, as I’ve written about.

Did I miss any? I’m sure I did. Send your favorite local charities along!

Check out these South Shore headlines …

• 7 Hidden and Underrated Milwaukee-Area Coffee Shops (Milwaukee Record)
• Swastika Symbols Found Drawn in Snow in South Milwaukee (NOW)
• Police Release Names of Those Involved in Early Morning Oak Creek Homicide (NOW)
• Man Charged in Wild Shooting Monday in Parking Lot Outside Meijer Store in Oak Creek (Journal Sentinel)
• 3 in Custody After Pursuit of 2 Vehicles Stolen in Cudahy (Fox 6)
• Seven St. Francis Residents Report Credit Card Fraud (NOW)

Also, NOW has published a new police blotter.

What an amazing response to our first-ever Light Up South Milwaukee holiday lights awards program!

More than a dozen of us — including Beautification Committee members, families and friends, young and less young — toured and scored each of the 49 entries on Saturday evening. A few thoughts on what we saw …

• There are LOTS of terrific lights displays out there across the city, including many that weren’t even nominated for the program.
• A number of blocks have some great displays, too. James Circle comes to mind.
• The seven winners are below (in no particular order). Each of these houses received at least nine scores of “five” from the 12 judges. Winners will receive $40, a yard sign and mention in this blog post and on social media. (Note: We decided to scrap the idea of categories once we got into the judging; too complicated.)

We have also compiled a list of addresses of each home that received at least one “five” score from our judges — including a list of seven “honorable mentions,” addresses that received at least five “five” ratings. Check it out here, and take your own tour!

Finally, I say thanks to the Beautification Committee for their support of the program, our judges, Sue Hebner for mapping the route, and the Golden Lion for the bus, especially driver Kurt for his patience with our festive group. And thanks to Ryan Greco for the photos.

I think we have the start of another South Milwaukee Christmas tradition here. This was a ton of fun. I’m already looking forward to 2018.

806 Lake Drive

1306 Marquette Avenue

1720 Manitoba Avenue

1817 Edgewood Avenue

1333 Columbia Avenue

2501 8th Avenue

3701 6th Avenue

Check out these South Shore headlines …

• “We Love You, We Miss You”: South Milwaukee Teen Missing 3 Days (TMJ4)
• Year-End Cuts Expected at Cudahy Fire Department (TMJ4)
• Gun Shots Fired in Oak Creek Meijer Parking Lot (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Oak Creek School District Considering Random Drug Testing (NOW)
• Tutaj Announces Interest in Running for St. Francis Mayor, Provided Recall Moves Forward (NOW)
• This Might be the Charlie Brown-est Tree in Milwaukee (OnMilwaukee.com)

And NOW has published a new police blotter.

Update: She was found safe.

The South Milwaukee Police Department (SMPD) is requesting assistance in locating Abigail Maduscha, a missing/endangered 15 year old girl.  The SMPD has received information that Abigail has asked for someone to buy her a plane, train, or bus ticket to California.  California is the destination she had been discussing going to months earlier in relation to sex trafficking, specifically the Sacramento area.

Please call 911, or contact your local law enforcement if you see her.  SMPD case #17-026794.

From the South Milwaukee Unite Against Drug Abuse Coalition …

This is the 2nd Annual Addiction Information and Resource Fair. This event is a FREE community forum to bring information to our residents to increase awareness and understanding of substance use disorder and treatment. At this event we will have speakers on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the connection to Addiction. A community member will share their personal story about addiction, and a panel of professionals will talk about treatment options. There will also be an opportunity for FREE Narcan training. For planning purposes, we ask that you please pre-register, however, walk-ins are welcome.

The event starts at 5:45 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 22, at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. Learn more and register here.

Thanks to all involved for their continued work on this critical effort, and for organizing this event. Parents and children are invited to attend.