June 24 – 30
There are some eclectic events that are soldiering on despite the Summerfest competition such as Boulevard Theatre's Audition Idol, American Players Theatre's new Harold Pinter play at the new indoor Touchstone stage, the Cedarburg Strawberry Festival features a National Guard jazz band, and the week-long run of MSO's Pops concert series. Cue the Mission: Impossible triangle......
Jun 23rd, 2009 by Brian Jacobson
Steel Bridge Songfest Night One–Of Laundered Beer and Cougar Dodging
(NOTE: It should be pointed out that while the Steel Bridge Songfest is overall a wholesome, family-oriented event, especially during the daytime, the following journal of misadventures is chronicling the activities of a bunch of scumbag Milwaukee musicians, and thus, should not be considered endemic to the Steel Bridge Songfest as a whole.)
Jun 22nd, 2009 by DJ Hostettler
Walker’s Point Comes Together and Can Move Forward
Unfortunately, S. 2nd Street has been in the news for all the wrong reasons recently.
Jun 22nd, 2009 by Dave Reid
Caesar’s Wife and Jessica McBride
It didn’t take Milwaukee Magazine editor Bruce Murphy long to respond to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigative reporter Dan Bice’s story about Jessica McBride’s affair with Police Chief Edward Flynn. Murphy does a fine job of detailing why the quality of the story should not be questioned. Not a single fact has been challenged and, by all accounts, the physical relationship between Flynn and McBride didn’t begin until after the story went to press. My response to Murphy’s comments pretty much says all I want to say on the topic. Calling the overblown coverage of this incident and its effect on McBride’s reputation a “tragedy for journalism” certainly overstates the matter. Ms. McBride and Chief Flynn deserve most of the responsibility for the disrepute this brings to them both. Then again, Bice’s comment that “Reporters are forbidden from writing about individuals to whom they have strong personal ties” struck me as simplistic and wrong. All journalists develop relationships with the people they cover. The vague term “strong personal ties” calls to mind a debate over definitions made famous by Bill Clinton. The “New Journalism” of the last 40 years recognizes the fact that writers become emotionally involved with their subjects and suggests that the idea of objectivity is a lie or, at least, unrealistic. Of course, writers are expected to disclose the nature of their relationships with their subjects. Obviously, the chronology of this incident made disclosure, the ultimate defense for the interested writer, a mere afterthought. Murphy’s defense of McBride, while understandable, doesn’t take into consideration the importance of reputation for public officials, journalists and the organizations that employ them. Murphy invites readers to comment on whether or not he should consider McBride as a future contributor. Murphy clearly believes McBride is a talented writer and does not seem to feel her subsequent behavior calls her work or her ethics into question. He says he would expect her to disclose a relationship if she was asked to write about Flynn in the future. But would he assign her a piece on crime or law enforcement? Would it be sufficient to disclose her relationship or does the disclosure rule out certain topics? He’ll need to work out a policy that not only applies to McBride but staff writers and other freelancers. Most things in life aren’t black and white which is one of the reasons I named this column Gray Matter.
Jun 22nd, 2009 by Ted Bobrow
Backstage with Mark Metcalf and David Begel
Long-time friends Mark Metcalf and David Begel discuss how they met in a Milwaukee Shakespeare production of The Merchant of Venice, David's long and colorful career that spans the great distance between sports writing, MPS administration and acting on stage, how professional sports are like theater, arts criticism and what it will take to make a more vibrant culture for the arts in Milwaukee. Discussed: national public dance, Mark's tardiness, how the internet just lets you keep going and going.
Jun 22nd, 2009 by Amy Elliott
Anderson and Roe dazzles the ivories at PianoArts concert
After performing a world premiere piece, Grand Scherzo based on Mozart's Act One of the opera Cosi fan Tutte, they constructed a duet for four hands on one piano. As the pair crossed over and under each other's arms, the subtle nuances of notes and measures evoked a passionate response from both musicians and audience. You needed to catch only a smile, or a lean into the other's shoulder by either piano player to sense the intense synchronization of genius.
Jun 22nd, 2009 by Peggy Sue Dunigan
Beal resigns from board in protest
Most know the story by now. The Executive Committee of Skylight Opera, without board discussion or vote, last week eliminated key staff positions that many supporters believe lets flow freely the lifeblood of this traditionally family-like company. This morning Jonathan West posts the full text of the resignation letter of long-time supporter and board member, Robert L. Beal, on his blog, Artsy Schmartsy.
Jun 22nd, 2009 by Brian Jacobson
Weekly Bookmarks – Monday, 22. June 2009
Blue Ribbon revival – JSOnline Alderman Bauman says among other conditions, any re-do of the Hoan Bridge must include pedestrian and bike access : The Bay View Compass Meeusen: Lakefront right location for water school – The Business Journal of Milwaukee: OnMilwaukee.com Politics: Task force seeks to update liquor license process Bauman decries budget handout for Drexel interchange – BizTimes Meeusen: Lakefront right location for water school – The Business Journal of Milwaukee: Tunnel tying Menomonee Valley, south side to reopen – JSOnline Citizens Allied for Sane Highways: Senate budget gives Oak Creek an interchange Aldermen oppose Zoo Interchange expansion « The Daily Reporter Yes we can have regional mass transit – BizTimes Assembly bill would restore carry-in alcohol at Jazz in the Park County Board comments about dedicated funding amendment approval : The Bay View Compass Why not Calatrava for H2O school? – JSOnline Milwaukee’s west side blues – JSOnline The Political Environment: Highway Expansion A Dagger Pointed At Milwaukee’s West Side Milwaukee County pension costs to soar in 2010 – JSOnline Judge said sick leave ordinance ‘exceeds its grasps’ – BizTimes Downtown Aloft hotel to get $200,000 city loan – JSOnline Downtown Streetcar: No More Loop? « Walker’s Point Milwaukee Talkie: Milwaukee County’s disappearing budget "deficit" Parking garage at Pabst brewery tops off – BizTimes Council lets family submit plans before using eminent domain – JSOnline A little pocket of Bay View has been transformed « Haas414 Thought Process: Milwaukee – File #: 081647 – Resolution Creating a Joint Committee on Downtown Streetcar Implementation Issue is about improving the neighborhood, not land theft – JSOnline Harbor Commission wants more information on proposed UWM facility – JSOnline Hide House history prompts split decision « The Daily Reporter Transit measures in budget deserve approval – JSOnline Council orders furloughs, balks at snow fee increase – JSOnline We are one step closer for Transit in Southeast Wisconsin! « Coalition For Advancing Transit Bay View apartments project at former tannery hits road block – JSOnline Sydney Hih owners get another month to develop plan – JSOnline Downtown Aloft hotel to get $200,000 city loan – JSOnline Court rejects Kenilworth lawsuit « The Daily Reporter Milwaukee council approves streetcar planning panel – JSOnline http://onmilwaukee.com/dining/articles/wackmanpurchase.html Sydney Hih owners get another month to develop plan – JSOnline Ex-Heinemann’s to reopen as downtown pizzeria, lounge – JSOnline
Jun 22nd, 2009 by Dave Reid
June 22-28
This week: Cycling through Kettle Moraine, WWE Smackdown (hell yeah!), movie screenings galore and of course, The Big Gig.
Jun 22nd, 2009 by Erin Petersen
Your 2009 Summer Reading Guide
It's the right time of year to reacquaint yourself with the literate world, so we put on our best nerdy glasses, went on the hunt and scouted out local experts in order to provide you with our first-ever summer reading guide, full of locally-sourced recommendations from Boswell Books, Open Book Co-op, Next Chapter Bookshop, A Broader Vocabulary and friends at WMSE, 800-ceo-read and ChangeThis.com.
Jun 21st, 2009 by Amy Elliott
Help Wanted (37-32)
Even with our very own C+C Hit Factory -- Counsell and Casey McGehee -- continuing their gritty ways, the lack of production from the lower half of the order has put you in a pickle, Ken. Do you look to add another bat to the lineup or do you focus on quality starting pitching, hoping it provides just enough momentum to propel the Brewers into the playoffs? In order to help you help us, Ken, I've compiled a quick summary of the potential players Doug Melvin refuses to acknowledge the Brewers are considering.
Jun 21st, 2009 by Rob Vosters
Upcoming Events for the Week of June 22nd, 2009
June 22, 2009 City Plan Commission Meeting June 22, 2009 1:40 pm The City Plan Commission (CPC) is the City’s official planning body established under State statute and is responsible for master planning activities. The CPC advises the Common Council on a variety of land development issues including zoning map changes, revisions in the zoning ordinance, subdivision approvals, business improvement districts, street and alley vacations, public land […] June 24, 2009 Public Works Committee Meeting June 24, 2009 9:00 am The Public Works Committee is responsible for physical services provided by the city such as street and alley maintenance, waste collection, disposal and recycling, sewer, water and flood control projects, assessments, public buildings, land and waterways.Public Works Committee meetings start at 9:00 a.m. and are held in the Room 301-B, City Hall, unless otherwise noted.[…]
Jun 21st, 2009 by Dave Reid
