Board of Supervisors Lay Over RTA Resolution
This meeting of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors featured the much debated resolution regarding the proposed Regional Transit Authority.
Dec 21st, 2008 by Dave Reid
Snow is Not Good for Buses
The massive amount of snow that fell on Milwaukee on Thursday night wrecked some serious havoc on the MCTS 10 bus route on Friday.
Dec 20th, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
Friday Photos Friday, 19. December 2008
Milwaukee City Hall Milwaukee City Hall Milwaukee City Hall Milwaukee City Hall Milwaukee City Hall
Dec 19th, 2008 by Dave Reid
HOLY SHIT METEOR!
So this happened in Edmonton, Alberta on Nov. 20th: Fig.1: Police dash-cam footage from 11.20.08. WTF WTF WTF WTF In the parlance of local hardcore bands named after exclamations, HOLY SHIT. How did this not make national American news? A huge white ball falls and explodes in a country right on our borders, and no one takes notice? Where was MSNBC? Where was CNN? Where was FOX News? (Wait, FOX is obsessed with the Mexican border. Never mind.) Obviously this was some sort of government cover-up where the US military got involved, possibly with the Men in Black, and forced Canadia’s accommodating news media into radio silence, as it were. Which leaves it up to that last bastion of true investigative journalism–the internet blogger–to speculate about what really happened that fateful night in Chris Benoit’s hometown. This intrepid reporter threw on some blinders, exhaustively researched his own nerdy obsessions (like any conspiracy theorist worth his salt) and came up with the following possibilities: Tesla’s Death Ray: unearthed and test-fired I’m fascinated by the life story of Nikola Tesla, the visionary Man Out of Time who solved the world’s energy crisis in his head roughly 100 years before gas hit $4/gallon while inspiring a band of farm kids in Sacramento, CA to name their butt-rock band after him (and then compose the third-best power ballad of the hair-metal era, “Love Song,” but none of this really has anything to do with astronomical phenomena). While I’m grateful to Tesla’s memory for enabling me to dismiss Thomas Edison as a no-good, elephant-frying son of a whore, I’m probably even more fascinated by the theory that the Tunguska explosion of 1908 was caused by Tesla test-firing the death ray he was supposedly working on in either Colorado Springs or Long Island, NY. In 1907 and 1908, Tesla wrote about the destructive effects of his energy transmitter. His Wardenclyffe facility was much larger than the Colorado Springs device that destroyed the power station’s generator. Then, in 1915, he stated bluntly: It is perfectly practical to transmit electrical energy without wires and produce destructive effects at a distance. I have already constructed a wireless transmitter which makes this possible. … But when unavoidable [it] may be used to destroy property and life. The art is already so far developed that the great destructive effects can be produced at any point on the globe, defined beforehand with great accuracy (emphasis added).(30) Nikola Tesla, 1915 He seems to confess to such a test having taken place before 1915, and, though the evidence is circumstantial, Tesla had the motive and the means to cause the Tunguska event. His transmitter could generate energy levels and frequencies capable of releasing the destructive force of 10 megatons, or more, of TNT. And the overlooked genius was desperate. Could it be that someone, perhaps a budding supervillain, has stumbled across Tesla’s long-dormant superweapon? If so, I’m on the first train to Colorado. America’s economic security is at its lowest point in nearly a […]
Dec 18th, 2008 by DJ Hostettler
Common Council Debates Water Deal
Both, New Land Enterprises' apartment proposal and Mandel Group's UWM dormitory proposal were approved without any debate on the floor and both are expect to break ground after winter.
Dec 18th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Michael Pink’s The Nutcracker
What a night for the Tannenbaum children! The toymaker Drosselmeyer fashions not only toys, but also an evening of magic for Marie, Fritz, and Clara (and the audience) in the Milwaukee Ballet’s presentation of Michael Pink’s The Nutcracker. This Milwaukee holiday tradition opened December 12 at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Pink’s version differs from the classic E.T.A. Hoffman book that was translated into a full-length ballet through the incomparable music of Tchaikovsky’s enduring score. In Pink’s retelling, Clara still receives the present of a nutcracker on Christmas Eve, but she becomes only one-third of the trio who travel to the Land of Sweets. Marie, her older sister, and Fritz, her rambunctious brother, accompany her on this surreal journey where “The Nutcracker” transforms into Drosselmeyer’s nephew, Karl. Karl falls in love with Marie as the story unfolds while a humorous sibling rivalry flares up between Fritz and Clara. The romantic story of Clara and her nutcracker prince has been transferred to Marie and Karl, including the pas de deux in the closing minutes. Throughout this family-themed evening, Drosselmeyer liberally sprinkles his silver fairy dust over the show, and the evening’s confections abound with lavish sets, glittering costumes and lively dances that stir the audience with visual delight including the charming Tannenbaum home where the Christmas Tree mysteriously grows and the Mouse King arrives for the midnight battle in the first act. To end this entrancing act, the final scene features the Snow Queen, the delicate Jeanette Marie Hanley, stepping through the frosty blue and white costumed ensemble while snow falls like shimmering powder sugar on the stage. With a sense of seasonal wonder, the Queen’s tutu and the snowflake’s gowns glisten through the entire sequence. When the second act opens, Karl and the Tannenbaum children arrive in the Land of Sweets to a carousel of ethnic dancers riding atop their corresponding animals. From then on the ballet dancing entertains Fritz and Marie, along with the theater, although the intricate technical ability of the choreography gives way to allow for more children from the Milwaukee Ballet School to appear in the production. This is incidental unless an original production of The Nutcracker lingers in memory. Incorporating more children into the ballet cast adds a unique element and focuses on these fanciful moments so important to holiday traditions and creates abundant sugar plum dreams for all that attend. Luz San Miguel (Clara) and Tatiana Jouravel (Marie) add lovely touches to the Tannenbaum sisters, their fondness apparent through this story line while Ryan Martin (Drosselmeyer) dusts the night with his own ballet magic. Add in David Gill’s spectacular lighting effects while Pasquale Laurino guest conducts Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra members and The Milwaukee Ballet concludes in perfecting this holiday night of The Nutcracker. Both the young and the young at heart will leave the theater wishing Drosselmeyer might appear one December evening with this enchanting magic at their own front doors. VS The Milwaukee Ballet presents Michael Pink’s The Nutcracker at the […]
Dec 17th, 2008 by Peggy Sue Dunigan
Watching Brett from Baghdad
New York Times Baghdad bureau chief James Glanz has filed a wonderful first-person report on watching the Jets-Bills game last Sunday from a war zone. It turns out Glanz has rooted for the Packers his entire life; his dad covered the team for a Madison television station. So, amazingly, he uses the piece to approach the question of what Brett Favre is doing playing for the Jets, not as an expert or even a sports journalist but as a fan. He compares the sensation of watching football from Iraq to what it must feel like to observe life on Earth from Mars. Glanz shares the experience of explaining football to an Iraqi soccer-loving colleague whose cell phone keeps ringing with requests for help understanding the shoe-throwing at President Bush incident. It’s a great read. And now for something completely different. By now you’ve probably heard that Caroline Kennedy is being considered for the Senate seat being vacated by Hillary Clinton. Nobody’s asked me, but I’m all for it. Perhaps it’s appropriate that I disclose my close, personal relationship with Miss Kennedy. One of my earliest memories was seeing pictures of Caroline and John, Jr. when they were kids living in the White House. As young as we were (you see we are virtually the same age), I realized then and there that Caroline and I would be married some day. Caroline Kennedy was my first crush. Things haven’t quite worked out as I imagined back then. She ended up marrying some milquetoast named Edwin Schlossberg. Edwin Schlossberg? So our paths may have diverged but I haven’t forgotten about her. I’d notice when she’d turn up on television promoting a book or stepping up to the plate to address the challenges facing the New York City school system. (I have the greatest respect for Sr. Joel Read but she ain’t no Caroline Kennedy!) And my thoughts were with her when her brother died so tragically in that plane crash in 1999. That left her as the sole keeper of the Camelot flame and I knew we’d hear more from her in time. I know that some will protest that she hasn’t the credentials to step into such an important office. What nonsense! Like her mother and much of the rest of her family, she has been extremely active in public affairs though without the high profile normally associated with political candidates. Her books, including variations on her father’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “Profiles in Courage,” show her high regard for public service and her management of the Kennedy image demonstrates the gravitas and political savvy that bode well for her ability to serve the Empire State. Fare thee well, sweet Caroline, for I harbor nothing but good wishes for you. And if you happen to tire of that Schlossberg guy, give me a holler!
Dec 17th, 2008 by Ted Bobrow
A Christmas Carol
By Christina Sajdak Lucchesi Once again, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater served up a heaping helping of holiday cheer with its annual production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and a lovelier, more penetrating version of this story one would be hard-pressed to find. In no other adaptation does the marriage of music, dance, movement and wordscome together so fluidly to convey the audience to the depths and heights intended throughout the tale. The creative team comprised of Joseph Hanreddy (Milwaukee Repertory Theater Artistic Director) and Edward Morgan, director Judy Berdan, choreographers Cate Deicher and Ed Burgess, and music director Randal Swiggum have collaborated on a masterpiece of multi-dimensional storytelling to touch an audience on many planes. Scenic designer Marjorie Bradley Kellogg, lighting designer Nancy Schertler and costume designer Martha Hally have combined to create visual landscapes that carry the story as if on wings. The beloved tale of charity and redemption traces the transformation of a miserly man as he is forced to view his life in retrospect. Remorse begins to soften the calloused heart, but true repentance comes only upon his witnessing the shadows of things yet to be. Awakened from his physical sleep by the Ghost of Christmas Past he is at last awakened from his spiritual sleep by the Ghost of Christmas Future and vows to become a new man. James Pickering’s reprisal of the role of Ebenezer Scrooge is both delightful and heartfelt. Portraying Scrooge with a vulnerability and emotional transparency from the outset is no small task but necessary if the audience is ever to embrace this cold curmudgeon. Torrey Hanson’s Bob Cratchit is the personification of patience and the steady, understanding counterpoint to his employer’s intolerance. Laura Gordon, in her role as Mrs. Cratchit, is the glass through which we view the timeless conflict between soul and spirit. Ms. Gordon brings this contest to the fore in her character’s struggle to exercise her Christian values toward a man who is a constant reminder of her family’s less than fortunate circumstances. As she negotiates between the pull of human emotion and her spiritual aspirations she ultimately chooses the high road in keeping with Dickens’ ongoing theme of forgiveness and spiritual growth. Adding levity to the production is the engaging Michael Herold as Mr. Topper. The splash of spirits in the holiday punch, he brings an effervescence and vivacity to his role drawing laughter from the audience with ease. Jonathan Smoots plays the gregarious Mr. Fezziwig to perfection, the embodiment of generosity and good will in this tale. Jenny Wanasek as both Mrs. Dilber and Mrs. Fezziwig displays her versatility with comedy as she moves deftly from the wry sarcasm of Scrooge’s housekeeper to the giddy glee of Mr. Fezziwig’s better half. Not to be omitted from comment is the cast of child actors who assume several of the major roles and comprise the children’s ensemble. Children’s director, Shawn Gulyas is to be commended for the quality of their performance which is on a par […]
Dec 16th, 2008 by Vital Archives
Milwaukee County Committee Fails to Reconsider RTA Vote
The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors held a special meeting of the Committee on Transportation, Public Works and Transit to further discuss the proposed RTA. Supervisors Larson and Jursik hoped to put forward a positive response to the proposed RTA in place of the committee's overtly negative response that came out of the last committee meeting.
Dec 16th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Biking Santas Invade Milwaukee
Meghan Arnold, one of the many biking santas you may have been lucky to see in downtown on Saturday, has an excellent write-up of the event complete with photos. The story comes complete with details of a rendevous with the police and enough mentions of Diablos Rojos restaurants to make Mike Eitel blush. Oh, and there is plenty of discussion of Lakefront Brewery beer.
Dec 15th, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
Weekly Bookmarks – Monday, 15. December 2008
Developer requests more time for downtown project – JSOnline Noise pollution mitigation in works for I-94 rebuild MilwaukeeWorld: MPS PRINCIPAL TAKES ON WISDOT Time for deal on UWM site – The Business Journal of Milwaukee: Public to review plans for Menomonee Valley Passage – BizTimes Postal Service project moves forward in Oak Creek – BizTimes OnMilwaukee.com Politics: A $315 bailout for the County Parks Department
Dec 15th, 2008 by Dave Reid
Ogden Avenue Corridor Development
Ogden Ave between N. Van Buren Street and Milwaukee Street has numerous retail establishments, but how well do they work together? Quite poorly. The groupings of stores work fairly well amongst themselves, but as an Ogden Ave retail corridor they turn their backs on one another.
Dec 12th, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
