Richard Longworth to speak at UWM
My Kinda Town Originally uploaded by Stuck in Customs Announcing a special guest lecture coming to UWM that is worthy to attend for anyone interested in economic development. The UWM Department of Urban Planning is pleased to announce details regarding its 2008 Charles Causier Memorial Lecture. Mr. Richard C. Longworth will present a lecture at UWM entitled “A Punch to the Middle: Globalization and the American Midwest,” on Friday, April 4th from 7:30 – 8:30 pm. Richard C. Longworth, selected to be the 2008 Charles Causier Memorial Lecturer, is a senior fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and former senior correspondent at the Chicago Tribune. He is the author of “Caught in the Middle: America’s Heartland in the Age of Globalism,” a book that describes this transformation and suggests ways in which the Midwest can fight back. Critics have given high reviews to his take on our situation and his ideas about the way forward. Carlos Santiago, UWM Chancellor, notes “Longworth’s book and The Chicago Council on Global Affairs are raising significant issues that will have a major influence on our future. I look forward to the contributions that those associated with our university will make to this effort.” Mr. Longworth’s upcoming lecture at UWM will focus on how globalization is transforming the American Midwest, and how the Milwaukee region is addressing the challenge. New global forces are turning both heavy industry and farming upside down, undermining old factory towns and rural areas, destroying old jobs and bringing in new immigrants, putting new demands on education, on government, and on Midwesterners themselves. All this is happening with lightning speed, in a region that prizes stability. Mr. Longworth will address how the region is currently coping with globalization and provide insight into how the Midwest can adapt and prosper. The event is free and open to the public. April 4th, 2008 7:30 – 8:30 pm (reception and book signing to follow lecture) UWM School of Architecture and Urban Planning (SARUP) – Room 170 2131 E. Hartford Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53201 I’ll be there, and hope to see you!
Mar 23rd, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
OMG Check Out This Bracket!
It’s March madness, baby! The competition leading up to the Final Four and the NCAA basketball championship has evolved into one of the most entertaining sports events of the year. And with Wisconsin and Marquette playing well and still alive as of this writing (Wisconsin has already advanced to the Sweet Sixteen while Marquette is battling tough with favored Stanford in the second half). But this being Wisconsin, ya gotta check out the bracket competition developed by the Washington Post. They started with 64 of the finest beers in the nation and are letting their discriminating readers decide which brews advance. I’ll drink to that. And while I’m raising a glass in tribute to the MSM’s WP, one of the twin titans of newsprint, let me also suggest that you have a look at the Post’s fact checker feature which examines the dubious claims of the various campaigns and grades them on a scale of Pinocchios for untruthfulness. Hillary Clinton’s assertion that she made a trip to Bosnia because it was too dangerous for Bill and that she dodged bullets at the airport earns the highest rating of four Pinocchios. Apparently, the comedian Sinbad was on the trip with her, as were print and broadcast reporters and they’ve called her on her whopper. Who knew Sen. Clinton had a Rambo complex?
Mar 23rd, 2008 by Ted Bobrow
Race, Politics and Easter
It’s Easter Sunday and the topic du jour is race. The old ad used to say “You don’t have to be Jewish to like Levy’s Rye Bread” (maybe it was a New York thing), so perhaps you don’t have to be Christian to appreciate the irony of the moment. Barack Obama was forced to deliver a speech on the subject of race because he has been buffeted by charges of poor judgment for maintaining a relationship with his preacher, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright. Radio, television and YouTube listeners and viewers have been barraged by clips of Wright railing against the inequities of our white-dominated society and even asserting that our nation brought 9/11 on ourselves through our actions around the world. I thought Obama was faced with a “Sister Souljah” moment, similar to when Bill Clinton needed to repudiate one of his core constituencies in order to prove his independence and character. But once again Obama proved that he is possessed of a remarkable intelligence and sophisticated appreciation of the powerful tensions tearing at our divided nation. He delivered a speech in Philadelphia last Tuesday that rejected Wright’s words but placed them in the context of our nation’s great but imperfect history. We should not forget or ignore that history, he said, but neither should we be poisoned by it. It is a history that has left scars on many people of many colors, faiths and bckgrounds but it has also taught us that we have the means, through our system of government and the power it bestows on “We, the People,” to right wrongs and continue the process of constructing a “more perfect union.” Obama delivered a great and timely speech that brings to mind Lincoln’s Second Inaugural when the 16th president called on the nation to look beyond the Civil War and begin the process of healing and reconciliation. Of course, Lincoln did not live long enough to preside over a nation at peace, Reconstruction was marked by unfortunate abuses and racism persisted through the Jim Crow years of the 20th century and even in today’s post-Civil Rights era. It remains to be seen how this election year will play out. But once again former President Bill Clinton revealed himself to be more interested in exploiting race for political advantage than in serving as one of the nation’s and his party’s senior statesmen. His comment that he hoped the nation would have two candidates in the general election able to focus on important things and not be distracted by the ugly and divisive issue of race was a transparent and shameful attack on Obama. Obama went on to deliver speeches on the economy and foreign affairs but the Wright controversy continues to dog him. Conservative talk show hosts are gleeful that they have been provided with ammo to challenge Obama’s patriotism by associating him with Wright. It’s ridiculous and offensive but it’s a free country. Race has also made an unfortunate appearance in the campaign for Wisconsin Supreme […]
Mar 23rd, 2008 by Ted Bobrow
Status of Kinnickinnic River Dredging
Abandoned Wreck Originally uploaded by Retinal Fetish Previously, I had mentioned that a Kinnickinnic River Trail is in the works that would link up areas south and west of the Port of Milwaukee that don’t have good non-car access to downtown and the rest of urban Milwaukee. A key part of making that trail more attractive is the dredging of the Kinnickinnic River which would make it cleaner and more appealing for fish and trail-users alike. The dredging will ultimately help encourage development along the river corridor and hopefully a Riverwalk extension to the area. The deal currently is contingent on the EPA chipping in roughly $2 million from its Great Lakes Legacy Act program to cover the costs of expanding the Army Corps of Engineers’ disposal facility next to the ferry terminal. The Port of Milwaukee is set to pick up the remaining 35 percent of the costs to expand the facility. If the EPA doesn’t pick up the expansion costs, the deal is supposedly dead in the water. My bets are on it happening, one way or another. I’m looking forward to a cleaner Kinnickinnic already.
Mar 23rd, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
Water Taxi Component of RiverWalk Plan Comes to Fruition
Planning for the RiverWalk system dating back to 1992’s RiverLink Guidelines called for the creation of a mixed-use activated destination that would include shops, restaurants, lookout points, and a variety of boating functions. Specifically the guidelines argued that “in fact, the most vibrant and interesting kind of urban riverwalk is one that winds its way past a range of uses/activities appealing to a broad spectrum of people, allowing passersby to drop into shops and restaurants, go sight-seeing on a water taxi, fish, boat or just sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of the waterfront.” Many components of this initial planning effort have been completed and the benefits can be seen in the increase in business along the RiverWalk but the water taxi component has before this summer never become a reality. This summer water taxi service provided by Milwaukee Water Taxi will begin operation along the RiverWalk fulfilling a long planned need. Business partners Aaron Kelly and Aaron Brock see the service as a amenity that will add new life and vibrancy to downtown. Kelly said that “we are trying to change Milwaukee” expressing his belief that this service will be beneficial to continued development efforts and raise the image of the city. The service plans to have eight stop and will run from Memorial Day to Labor Day. One way fares will be $5 and an all day pass will be available for $10 allowing customers to explore downtown extensively. This new service builds on the success of the initial planning and continues the momentum of re-development in downtown Milwaukee.
Mar 23rd, 2008 by Dave Reid
Public Works Committee
Location: City Hall, 200 East Wells St. Room 301-B Agenda
Mar 22nd, 2008 by Dave Reid
Pabst Office Redevelopment Moves Along
The Pabst Brewing Complex Originally uploaded by compujeramey Jim Haertel, president of Brew City Redevelopment Group LLC, is excited to finally see his dream coming to fruition. Haertel, who I’ve mentioned before owns a group of former Pabst brewery office buildings that are part of the complex that Joseph Zilber is redeveloping. Haertel is a name many in Milwaukee may remember as one of the leaders behind the original plans to turn the brewery in PabstCity, a nightlife and entertainment district. That plan ultimately died as a result of the Common Council not giving Wispark public money to develop the area, because of concerns of its long-term viability. Haertel was promised the Blue Ribbon Hall office buildings as part of the deal with his financing partner Wispark LLC. He was given the buildings by Wispark upon their sale of the complex to Zilber and his Brewery Project LLC, and just recently in December settled a lawsuit with Wispark. Terms of the settlement weren’t released, and I haven’t heard rumor of what they might be. Development is moving at a fast pace at the complex now (pictures coming soon). Fulfilling Haertel’s dream for the site, Blue Ribbon Hall and the surrounding office buildings will turn into the Museum of Beer and Brewing and Hofbrauhaus Milwaukee. Construction will begin next year, and everything will open in February of 2010. The reason for the delay? Haertel wants to wait for construction across Juneau Avenue to finish. The buildings just across the street (former keg houses) are being removed and replaced with a parking garage (more on that later). Personally, I’m excited about the long-term prospects for this area. I really think overall there are a lot of really good things going on over at The Brewery. Early developments such as the Hofbrauhaus are going to set a great tone for the surrounding area developments still to come.
Mar 21st, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee is a Rising Tech City
Barcamp Milwaukee 2007 Originally uploaded by marcusnelson According to Forbes, Milwaukee is an up-and-coming tech city. They tout the strength of some of the biggest companies in the area, Rockwell Automation and Johnson Controls. What did they overlook? The strength of business brewing activities afoot in the city. BarCampMilwaukee, DrupalCampWisconsin, MilwaukeeDevHouse, Web414, and the KEEN efforts at local universities. Not to mention the emerging angel investment groups including Silicon Pastures. The tech community efforts in Milwaukee out pace the strength of many other fresh coast cities and are second to only Chicago, and they’re only getting stronger. There isn’t any guarantee that these activities will lead to new wealth-generating businesses, but they’re certainly at the very least creating a supply of talented and connected web experts who can create significant competitive advantages for area firms.
Mar 21st, 2008 by Jeramey Jannene
March 20th-Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks @ The Pabst!
STEPHEN MALKMUS and THE JICKS! MARCH 20@THE PABST! VITAL is sponsoring Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks on Thursday, March 20th at The Pabst Theater! This indie show is sure to please, and as always, VITAL will be setting up a table chock full of great stuff, including giveaways to other great shows! Our fun and friendly staff will be happy to load you up with copies of our March issue, stickers and tote bags, if you play your cards right. It’s good stuff, so come and check us out! More information available online!
Mar 21st, 2008 by Vital Archives
WUWM 89.7 FM – Milwaukee Public Radio Presents Radio Lab
Milwaukee Public Radio invites you to join an intellectual investigation. For one week in April, WUWM presents Radio Lab, public radio’s award-winning series about wonder, discovery and big ideas. Radio Lab is produced by WNYC, New York Public Radio. The one-hour documentaries will air the week of April 7 – 11 at 11 a.m. Co-hosted by veteran reporter Robert Krulwich and Jad Abumrad, Radio Lab is a science show for people who don’t think they like science. These days, science coverage is largely reduced to either a sexed-up, politically-charged controversy or a dry, lifeless, technical summary of academic findings. Radio Lab breaks the mold, re-creating – with joy, wonder and humor — the thrill of “Aha!” moments in scientific breakthroughs. Abumrad and Krulwich unearth the implications of the latest scientific findings, bump into surprising stories, traverse philosophy, history, and culture, and converse with some of the scientists doing the real work along the way.The result: a potent elixir of real science, first-person storytelling and radio theatre, all wrapped up in some of the most innovative sound design ever to spill out of the radio. Since 1964, WUWM 89.7 FM – Milwaukee Public Radio has been part of the UW-Milwaukee family and has been serving as southeastern Wisconsin’s premiere public radio source for news, information, and entertainment programming for 37 years. WUWM is listener-supported radio that is licensed to the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents and operated by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Letters and Science. Listen on-air at 89.7 FM or on-line at wuwm.com.
Mar 21st, 2008 by Vital Archives
UWM Campus Master Plan Launch Event
UWM Student Union, Wisconsin Room This event will provide an opportunity for the entire campus community to meet the consulting teams that will lead UWM’s collaborative and comprehensive master planning process. More Information
Mar 21st, 2008 by Dave Reid
Major Tom To Ground Control
This is your new book marked link, your new online addiction, your new place to find out whats poppin in the world of Milwaukee Film. Check back soon for the “How To” on posting your links, script fragments and ideas, YouTube/MySpace links, email video clips from your cellphone, Questions, Comments, smack downs, party info, anything popping, we need to know……… onward and upward……..
Mar 20th, 2008 by Howie Goldklang
