Public Meetings On Final Sites For New UWM Dorm

Public meetings for each dorm site have been announced. At each meeting the development teams will explain the proposal. The developer of the proposed site and UWM representives will be available for questions at each meeting. As a refresher we have included our opinion on each of the sites as described (we have not see the proposals yet).

Oshkosh Truck Looking At Leasing Janesville General Motors Plant

Our previous article on Janesville's coming problems might not be as big of a problem as previously thought. Sources have confirmed that Oshkosh Truck has discussed with General Motors the possibility of leasing the Janesville plant along with utilizing the soon-to-be unemployed GM workforce.

Weekly Bookmarks – Monday, 25. August 2008

JS Online: Opposition to new postal center grows Universal Foods headquarters sold – The Business Journal of Milwaukee: State weighs tearing down Hoan Bridge – The Business Journal of Milwaukee: JS Online: Local firm wins bid to design Job Corps campus in Milwaukee JS Online: Software company considers Delafield JS Online: Luxury hotel developer wants $2 million from city Work on KK River cleanup, Port of Milwaukee approved – The Business Journal of Milwaukee: JS Online: Kinnickinnic River to get $24.4 million cleanup JS Online: Lake water quest dries up JS Online: UWM seeks another $10 million to boost research Public opinion survey shows support for regional transit authority – Small Business Times Traffic stoppers | csmonitor.com

On Second Thought

Conventional Wisdom proved on the money yesterday when Barack Obama announced Joe Biden was his choice as the Democratic party’s candidate for vice president. Biden is a safe choice a) because as a two-time candidate for president he has been exhaustively vetted and his weaknesses are well-known, b) his thirty years as a Senator and foreign policy expert gives him a gravitas that many feel Obama lacks, and, perhaps most importantly, c) Biden is a proven counter-puncher who is not shy about engaging in the kind of attack that Obama has at least pretended to be above, so far. Once elected, God willing, there is also the potential for Biden to serve as the President’s consigliere, an indispensible role that can aid in the early success of the Obama administration. The most recent Democratic administrations of Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton stumbled seriously out of the gate largely due to an inability (or unwillingness) to build coalitions with Congress. Earlier, I expressed the hope that Obama would make a bolder choice, such as Colin Powell, as a demonstration of his committment to a new kind of politics. But Biden may be the best of both worlds; a good partner during the election who will effectively balance the ticket as well as seerving as a savvy and experienced vice president after the inauguration who has Obama’s full faith and confidence. The polls are tightening but you have to feel good about the chances for the Democrats. First of all, people who would never vote for Obama, because of his politics, inexperience or color, most certainly have already made up their minds. The next seventy days are about reaching the undecideds (and getting your supporters motivated enough to actually vote). Biden is a good choice in this regard, reassuring to the Hillary Clinton supporters and undecideds. But the veep choice rarely makes much of a difference. It will still be Obama’s job to close the deal with the voters. As expected, the campaign has grown uglier this past week as McCain made some ill-advised comments regarding the definition of wealthy as $5 million and up and, of course, failing to have an answer to the quesstion of how many homes he owns. His camp has fired back that attacks on McCain’s wealth reflected a repudiation of the Obama pledge to run a clean campaign (though McCain has been questioning Obama’s patriotism and arguably started this mudslinging himself), declared the gloves are off and went after Obama for his “million dollar home’ purchased with the help of “convicted felon” Tony Rezko. But have no doubt that the Obama camp is comfortable in this arena. If the candidates are judged by their own words then McCain’s flubs and misstatements will only reinforce his own vulnerabilities. And it is only a matter of time before somebody brings up McCain’s connection to the Keating scandal in the 1980s. McCain was sanctioned for his ties to savings and loan mogul Charles Keating and his commitment to campaign […]

A Better Approach to Reduce Drunk Driving

As a society we say "don't drink and drive" but in this case actions speak louder than words. Zoning and land use policies have an impact on the built environment that often promotes driving and limits other transportation options. These regulations to some extent mandate how we get home from work and unfortunately how we get from the tavern, home.

Only Hours Away

Barack Obama hasn’t publicly announced his choice for vice president yet. I know because his campaign has ensured me that I will be the first to hear. Me and the millions of others who have texted “VP” to 62262 (OBAMA). Chances are good that he will make the announcement in the next 18 hours since The World is expecting his choice to join him at a rally in Springfield, Illinois on Saturday. So this is my last chance to share my thoughts on the Big Choice. The conventional wisdom has lined up behind Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, who has the Washington experience and foreign policy credentials that some say are holes in the Obama resume that need to be filled. Personally, I believe Biden would be a disappointing choice because he is too safe. Granted, he’s run for president twice so his negatives are well-known and manageable. But the trouble is that he doesn’t bring anything that would energize the campaign. Obama knows this choice will be analyzed and dissected more than anything he has said or done so far in the campaign. That includes his remarks about the bitterness of the working class and even his choice of pastor. His choice needs to affirm his campaign theme of change and I don’t think Biden fits the bill. I look for someone older and more experienced but not from the list of usual suspects. Here is my list of eye-openers, holy-cows, and who-would-have-thoughts: First of all, there’s Jim Webb, a first-term Senator from Virginia. CW has focused on the Commonwealth’s Gov. Tim Kaine as more likely but look at what Webb brings; decorated war hero (sound familiar?), experience at the Pentagon as an Assistant Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Army, and a Republican who switched sides to become one of the most-outspoken critics of George Bush. Obama could do worse. You have to believe that Obama is seriously considering a Republican or at least someone with a strong record of working across the aisle. While he has pledged to bring a bipartisan approach to his administration, many independents and Republicans don’t see very much to suggest that in his record. How do you think they’d feel if Olympia Snowe, a moderate Republican who has served on the Armed Services, Finance and Intelligence committees? She has earned the respect of leaders of both parties by developing a keen ability to craft legislative compromise without sacrificing principle. But the 800 pound gorilla of long shots has got to be Colin Powell. Can you imagine? The incredibly highly regarded career military man was dissed big time by the Bush administration. He’s made no secret of his regret about taking cooked evidence to the United Nations to make the case for war. What better way to restore his reputation than as a member of the administration whose greatest challenge will be cleaning up the mess that occurred on his watch? Powell has said he’s not interested but come on. When a […]

Soulstice Theatre’s CHICAGO

Update

Bridget Griffith Evans and Gene Evans move more often than a roofer in a tornado. Honest. Their final exhibit at Luckystar happens August 22 from 6-10pm. It’s appropriately titled the “Monsters of Metal,” and the ever-mobile proprietors claim it’s their final show at the Vliet street address before they hit the road in 2009, traveling hither and yon with art in tow. In 2005-2006, they did something similar in a display of art aggression titled “World Domination Tour.” They’ve shepherded galleries in Riverwest, the Third Ward and have taken up wall space in various venues around town, most recently at VS’s Gallery Night & Day and east a bit at Design Within Reach. Another of their efforts addresses Body Art and is currently at Walker’s Point Center for the Arts. Will they return to Milwaukee for more punishment in the future? UPDATE: Actually, they’re not leaving Beer Town. They’ve moved south to the Mitchell St. area, allegedly into a live/workspace. Apparently the deadly duo is scouting out businesses in the Third Ward (and probably elsewhere) to hang their work. When Mike Brenner folded Hotcakes Gallery, he re-surfaced almost immediately to exhibit his personal work around town, and as Mary Louise Schumacher’s poster-boy for sage remarks, he’s yet to be topped. Jimmy Von Milwaukee used to fill that slot, but when his favorite reviewer, MJS’s James Auer died, Jimmy’s notoriety nose dived. August 14 was the opening of Julie Lindemann & Johnie Shimon’s photography exhibit (Unmasked & Anonymous) in the Koss Gallery at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Major pieces from their portraiture trove will dazzle, plus selected photographs from MAM’s permanent collection. You’ll recognize some of the Milwaukee-based names, including Francis Ford, and the charred “punk” photographs of Stanley Ryan Jones, that will be displayed in a vitrine. On Tuesdays (September 9, October 21, and November 18) Cathy Cook will premiere her experimental portrait of Wisconsin poet, Lorine Niedecker. Shimon & Lindemann were visual collaborators for this film titled ”Immortal Cupboard: In Search of Lorine Niedecker.” There’ll be more fine photography to admire during the Stephen Shore exhibit at the Haggerty and the John Heymann exhibit at the Charles Allis Museum of Art. A feature about Mr. Heymann can be found here. The current issue of INFO magazine has a feature on Milwaukee gadfly, Michael Horne, whose career seems to be on fire now that he’s popping up in Milwaukee Magazine and hitting the air waves on Lake Effect. The feature, written by VS’s Judith Ann Moriarty, includes an early drawing of the defunct Milwaukee train station, by none other than a very tender Horne. Who knew he makes art? You can check in on Milwaukee doings via milwaukeeworld.com, written by the more mature Horne who has a way with words.

BEHOLD SOMETHING BIGGER THAN TUPAC Sat 8/24

Sona Voice – this dude means business. His film, Behold Something Bigger than Tupac, is a tale surrounding the life a man (THE VOICE) from a different continent who sees himself as being greater than (in his opinion) the greatest rapper ever (Tupac Amaru Shakur). That’s a whole lotta greatness being addressed. Check their website for screenings and throw your hat into the being greater than the greatest rap debate. Behold Something Bigger Than Tupac Sat 8/24 Miramar Theater Milwaukee, WI CLICK HERE FOR FILM TIMES & TICKETS – BUY TICKETS ONLINE

RedPrairie Moves Further Away From Talent Sources

Red Praire's relocation story has been funny, especially now that they've finally decided to move to Delafield. To understand what's going on it appears you don't have to read between the lines, you just have to read the lines.

Friday Photos Friday, 22. August 2008

The North End The Edge The Edge Breakwater Condos Breakwater Condos

Kids in the fridge

When my dad saw the cover of our August issue, he railed at me for a half-hour about our lack of editorial responsibility. Apparently, I am too young to remember a time when empty refrigerators in basements and junk lots enticed curious children into their deadly depths. My parents are subscribers, so they received the magazine right when it was hitting the stands. Since then, we’ve had dozens of calls, emails and hand-scrawled letters from furious readers who are terrified that young ones city-wide will see this issue, get ideas in their heads and go romping right to their death in the Fridgidaire. When this gem arrived at our office, I knew I had to do some serious research, and by research, I mean a Google search of “kids in refrigerators”: Here’s what my research turned up. The reason I’m too young to remember kids dying in refrigerators? Because kids don’t die in refrigerators anymore. Abandoned iceboxes used to be a threat because of the mechanical latch on models manufactured before 1958. The widest rash of refrigerator deaths happened between 1956 and 1964, with accidents mostly tapering off after around 1984. From thestraightdope.com: “The problem hasn’t entirely disappeared — two kids in Guyana died in an old fridge in 2003.” But unless copies of VITAL are somehow migrating to the Third World, which is probably the only place you’ll be able to find refrigerators old enough to trap innocent children, I doubt we’ve put any children any closer to an untimely end. The crusade is over. So don’t fret your head. And stop calling me.