There is so much to do this coming Labor Day weekend!  The problem is that I want to check out everything that is going on...besides a couple of of personal commitments, here's some of the other things I want to see:

Oak Creek Lions Fest  https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1pvNBwbCDXhZD0D9Y0mvmxYzjzzJrWLFusznQcXt1c2I&hl=en&pli=1# will have some great music, but I wanted to especially see the Nashville Rejects on Monday night as they are celebrating their 50th year as a band together!

Sheboygan County Fair http://www.shebcofair.com/  has Phil Vassar playing on September 4th and Styx on September 5th.  I saw Styx when they were at the Sheboygan Co Fair several years ago and it was the best concert I had ever been to.

Wisconsin Highland Games http://www.wisconsinscottish.org/  at the Waukesha County Fairgrounds - September 3-5th.  I loved seeing them toss that huge log - called Turning the Caber.

Also, if you're a Harley enthusiast, the 8th Annual Milwaukee Rally is happening at the Wisconsin State Fair Grounds and at all four of the local dealerships.  http://www.milwaukeerally.com/

And a new festival this year, Made in Milwaukee, features Milwaukee music, artists and vendors in Catheral Square Park on September 4th. http://www.madeinmilwaukee.com/

Have you heard?  The Wisconsin State Fair will have more than 60 "Food-on-a-Stick" items, and several of the items are new this year.  This year I'm going to try some new ones for sure.  This coming Tuesday, August 10, is Crazy Grazin’ Day, where various food vendors offer smaller portions at a reduced price, allowing you to taste a variety of foods.

Just in case you are wondering, here are some of the calorie counts. Don't let it discourage you though!

Grand Champion burger = 1000 calories
Gyro = 580 calories
Cuban = 570 calories
Grilled Cheese = 440 calories
Chicken Souvlaki = 400 calories
Pot Roast Sandwich = 330 calories
Bison Burrito = 300 calories
Pork Loin Sandwich = 290 calories

Blooming Onion = 1320 calories
Potato with butter & sour cream = 380 calories (includes vitamins A, D, C, & potassium)

Funnel Cake = 800 calories
Blue Ribbon Brownie = 615 calories
Apple Pie = 411 calories
Cream Puff = 350 calories

Lemonade = 150 calories (sugar laden)
Soda = 100 calories (sugar laden)
Milk = 150 calories (includes calcium & vitamin D)
Water = 0 calories

Don't miss out on all things "Cudahy" this weekend at the city's Sweet Applewood Days at Cudahy Park.  Lots of fun things to do that include a fish fry, the Cudahy All School Reunion on Friday, along with the band Six Pack playing from 7:30pm to 11:30pm. 

Saturday a craft/rummage show in the morning with a classic car show at 1pm, ribs from Southwoods, and more great music all day.

On Sunday is a polka mass and music by my friend Jeff Winard starting at 11am. More fun music until 8pm.

check out all the fun at:  http://www.wilions.org/cudahy/festival.htm

Don't miss out on all the fun this week in South Milwaukee. We've already had a great couple of days so far - Grant Park's 100 year celebration, the bicycle races Tuesday, the spaghetti dinner Wednesday...  and there is a lot more to come: 

Evening on the Avenue, Downtown South Milwaukee, 10^th & Milwaukee – Main Event 4-9pm 
Children’s activities, entertainment, music, activities, food, beverage, merchant displays, sales, giveaways, raffle to benefit Human Concerns, and much more! 

South Milwaukee Downtown Market  3:30 - 7:30 PM
11th and Madison Ave.

Plus the car cruise on Friday, the parade and duck race on Saturday and Lionsfest at 16th and Rawson all weekend. Find all the information here:

www.southmilwaukee.org/heritage.htm

It's going to be a fun Heritage Days Week, and this bicycling event is sure to please! The International Cycling Classic is back!

A number of races – with competitors ranging from amateurs to international professionals – are planned starting the morning of July 20, culminating with the pro race around 6 p.m. The course will start/finish at 9^th and Milwaukee Ave.  Eddie Van Geyse, who was the Italian villain in the movie Breaking Away is the race’s entertaining announcer.  Each race will take competitors on a unique 2.8-mile road course looping through the Oak Creek Parkway, into Grant Park, past the Bucyrus headquarters and finishing in downtown South Milwaukee on Milwaukee Avenue.

The day, however, is about much more than cycling. It’s also a day of family fun.

A number of special events are planned to coincide with the Classic, including a Kid’s Activity Zone sponsored by the South Shore YMCA and Wheaton Franciscan Medical Group. A special South Milwaukee Downtown Market – the outdoor street market that has taken off in popularity since its launch last July – is also planned.

Volunteers are needed!

Bucyrus International Cycling Classic

www.SMBikeRace.com

Contact: Danielle Devlin

Phone: 414-762-4114 or ddevlin@biz.wi.rr.com

About the International Cycling Classic/SUPERWEEK Pro Tour Sanctioned by USA Cycling, the Point Premium Root Beer International Cycling Classic is now the oldest and longest-running multi-category cycling race in the world with races in cities from De Pere in northern Wisconsin to Chicago. The event, formerly known as Superweek, has a long-running tradition of international participation. Each year, a European contingent travels overseas to compete in the Classic, many of whom are emerging stars on the European racing scene.

The South Milwaukee Downtown Market is back even bigger and better in 2010, starting on Thursday, June 3rd thru October 14th. Join them as they celebrate downtown South Milwaukee with an event that promises food, fun and a festive atmosphere for everyone. Rain or shine Thursdays 3 to 7:30 p.m. in June, July and August. Thursdays 3 to 7 p.m. in September and October 11th and Milwaukee Avenues in downtown South Milwaukee.

The outdoor street market begins June 3 and will be held every Thursday afternoon and evening through October 14 on 11th Avenue south of Milwaukee Avenue near the heart of South Milwaukee’s city center. This year there will be more seating for patrons and more stalls for vendors.  Bucyrus International is also offering a part of their parking lot for the market and this year there will be music too!  http://4thdistrict.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/2010-return-press-release-2.pdf 

You can keep up with what's going on at the market by joining them on Facebook or checking out their website at:  http://www.smdowntownmarket.org .

This is a very cool interactive map that shows where all the farmer's markets are at in Southeastern Wisconsin.  You can also print out a list of them.

http://www.jsonline.com/features/food/92425519.html

I'm including below an email I received from Pat Jursik who represents the 8th District (St. Francis, South Milwaukee, Cudahy, and 2 wards in Oak Creek).  Sounds like a fun time!

Dear Sheridan Friends and Community Leaders:

We invite you to join Sheridan Park Friends at their annual meeting.  We will meet this Saturday, May 1, at 10 a.m. at Sheridan Pavilion Area #1 (near the pond) for free refreshments and pot luck breakfast.  At the meeting, you will hear planned activities for the summer and into fall, view the parks slide show presented at their award winning ceremony and meet other park enthusiasts;  All are welcome and please plan to invite other interested friends!

We hope to see you there!

Thanks,
Pat Jursik
 

We stopped here the other day for a quick bite, mostly because we were in the mood for a good burger and we didn't have a lot of time.  I hadn't been here since it's been Chicago Avenue Gyros, but I had heard good things about it.  I used to live really close to this place when I was still in high school.  Back then it was still a drive-in and one of my friends worked there - so I spent a lot of time there. 

The place hadn't changed a bit, except a new coat of paint, a bigger menu, and no more drive-in.  There are a few tables and booths inside with picnic tables outside.  You order at the window inside.  My boyfriend ordered a huge gyro and I got a bacon burger and fries.  The food came out quickly, and is very reasonably priced.  My burger was very good and HUGE!  The fries were good too.  Mike said his gyro was as good as any he'd get in Chicago.  That's saying a lot since he's a big fan of the various ethnic foods in Chicago.

They serve Greek, Mexican, and American food.  I also noticed that they serve ice cream, malts and shakes, and sundaes.  I'll be stopping again this summer to try one of their sundaes.  Yum.

513 N Chicago Ave, South Milwaukee, WI   414-571-9970

 The Bob Kames Foundation Jazz Festival returns April 16 - 18. The festival will include three evenings of performances. On Friday, April 16, Eric Marienthal will take the stage with special guest Brian Culbertson. Ramsey Lewis will perform Saturday, April 17 and Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band returns on Sunday, April 18. Tickets are $45 per performance. Special discounts are available if you purchase more than one show. For more information, contact the Box Office at 414-766-5049 or visit webpage: www.southmilwaukeepac.org/ or  www.bobkamesfoundation.org/mainframe.html

The annual Jazz Festival has provided thousands of dollars in grants and scholarships to High Schools and Middle Schools. These funds are used to provide instruments, instrument repair, lessons, music and other related music items. Their main fundraising is through the annual Jazz Festival, sponsors, raffles and private tax deductible contributions. This fundraiser is especially important this year since many of our school music programs could be cut due to budget constraints. This is a great way to support our school music programs and stuents!

There is a one-day Downtown Spring Market and Business Fair on Saturday, April 10, at Bucyrus International HERITAGE BLDG, (located across the street from the SM Library) just 1 block North of 10th & Milwaukee Ave in South Milwaukee.

The market, which will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Heritage Building, will feature many of the same vendors found at the summer version of the market, including produce, food, jewelry, art and craft vendors.

It will also feature a South Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce Business Fair showcasing some of the city’s top merchants

BONUS: The Bucyrus Museum will be open for viewing

Want to exhibit? See the vendor form at: www.smdowntownmarket.org/

It's that time again! Ever since I got involved writing about this event, I look forward to it every year! It's so fun!

The Wisconsin Chapter is hosting The Aicardi Party, a Wine and Beer Tasting Event, on April 17, 2010. All proceeds will benefit the Aicardi Syndrome Foundation. Join us to support a great organization and to have fun!

Serving a wide selection of: locally brewed beers, import beers, microbrews, fine wines, Hors d’oeuvres, Cash bar also available!

Advanced Reservation: $25    Pay at the Door: $30

Contact the Aicardi Party Information Line for questions or donations (414) 232-5374

Event Highlights: Door Prizes and Raffle Prizes, DJ until 11 pm, Live Auction, Silent Auction

Saturday April 17, 2010  7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Oak Creek Community Center, 8580 S. Howell Avenue ,Oak Creek, WI 53154

Aicardi Syndrome Foundation – WI Chapter, 1000 E. Park Boulevard, Oak Creek, WI 53154, Fax: (414) 571-5415

I took most of this from Patricia Jursik's latest newsletter, but I'm sure she won't mind me passing this list of things to do in the next month or so..

Saturday, March 6 – Family FREE Day at the Zoo, 9am-4:30pm

All visitors receive free admission. The parking fee remains in effect. At Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 West Blue Mound Road, Milwaukee. milwaukeezoo.org 256-5466

Saturday and Sunday, March 6 and 7 – Winter Pow Wow
Presented by Indian Summer Festivals. Traditional Pow wow with grand entries at 1 and 7pm on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday. Native marketplace, art, and traditional food. Prayer ceremony on Sunday at 10am with FREE entry for those who attend. Admission: general $7, ages 60+ $5, and children 12 and under FREE. At Wisconsin State Fair Park, Wisconsin Products Pavilion, 640 S. 84^th St. (gate 5), West Allis. 414-604-1000 or www.indiansummer.org

Sunday, March 7 – Inside the County Board, 9-10pm

Tune to 1130 WISN for an in-depth look at actions of the County Board of Supervisors. Airs the first Sunday of each month. This month will focus on the Lake Parkway 794. Podcasts will be available at county.milwaukee.gov/insidethecountyboard

Tuesday, March 9 – Friends of Mill Pond meeting, 6:30pm

Special guest Brian Russert will introduce the Milwaukee County Park's Natural Areas Program that is actively applying restoration ecology and engaging communities throughout the system's 10,000 acres of natural areas. Brian will use a slide presentation to overview the breadth of the program, where it is working, and how individuals can get involved with the management of "their" natural resources.  Brian will speak at 6:30pm, immediately before the meeting. At Marquette Manor (2409 10^th Av, South Milwaukee). 571-1191

Thursday, March 11 – Grant Park “Park Watch” meeting, 6pm

At Grant Park Clubhouse (100 Hawthorne Av, South Milwaukee). 764-7262

Thursday, March 11 – Friends of Grant Park meeting, 7pm

At Grant Park Clubhouse (100 Hawthorne Av, South Milwaukee). 764-0612

Saturday and Sunday, March 13 and 14 – Behind the Scenes at the Zoo

Visit the small mammals and aviary kitchens, the off-exhibit lion den, big cat toys, and the sensory safari. Tours are free with regular admission and are held 10am-2:45pm. At Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 West Blue Mound Road, Milwaukee. milwaukeezoo.org 256-5466

Saturday, March 13 – St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Noon

Parade route follows Wisconsin Av. east from 3^rd to Plankinton, north along Plankinton and 3^rd, and Juneau east to Water St. in Downtown Milwaukee. www.saintpatricksparade.org

Sunday, March 14 – Pullin’ o the Green, seatings at 4:30pm or 6:30pm

Join Friends of Grant Park in their annual benefit to preserve and enhance Grant Park. Admission gets you food, beverage or a beer, and an evening of great music by the Garlic Mustard Pickers. Regular admission: $12 adults, $3 children. Reduced-price tickets ($10) will be available in advance at local businesses, including Parkway Floral, Wild Flour Bakery, and Nona’s Café. At Grant Park Clubhouse, 100 Hawthorne Av., South Milwaukee. Contact 764-0612

Tuesday, March 16 – Cudahy Lions Blood Drive, 2-6pm

At Cudahy Family Library, 3500 Library Dr., Cudahy. Call 421-0276 for info / appointments.

Tuesday, March 16 – Music Under Glass, 6:30-8:30pm

Leroy Airmaster with Steve Cohen (blues, jazz). Enjoy the new lighting of the domes with light shows at the break and following the concert. At The Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd. Regular admission applies. 649-9830 www.county.milwaukee.gov/FloralShowampEventSc10360/MusicUnderGlass.htm

Wednesday, March 17 – The Garlic Mustard Pickers play at the Carlton Grange Pub, 6-9pm 3807 S. Packard Avenue, St. Francis (just north of Howard Av.) www.carletongrange.com

Thursday, March 18 – St. Patrick’s Day party at the Kelly Center, Noon

The party starts at Noon with entertainment by Pat Gong Duo, door prizes, and lunch served by South Woods at 12:30pm. Payment of $12 for lunch is due by March 10. At Kelly Senior Center, 6100 S. Lake Dr., Cudahy. 481-9611

Thursday, March 18 – The Garlic Mustard Pickers play at Sheridan’s Café, 6:30-8:30pm

5133 S. Lake Drive, Cudahy. Reservations recommended: 747-9800 www.sheridanhouseandcafe.com/TheCafe.htm

Sunday, March 21 – St. Francis Association of Commerce Spaghetti Dinner, 11am-6pm

At St. Paul Church Hall, 1720 E. Norwich Av., Milwaukee. Tickets can be pre-purchased at Fixx Coffeehouse, 3558 E. Sivyer Av., St. Francis (Just off of Packard Av., between the Carleton

Grange Pub & Foamation Cheesehead Factory).

Tuesday, March 23 – Frank P. Zeidler Memorial Lecture, 7pm

Media expert, associate editor of the Capital Times, and Washington correspondent for The Nation, John Nichols discusses the 2010 book that he co-authored with Robert McChesney, entitled “The Death and Life of American Journalism: The Media Revolution that Will Begin the World Again.” At Centennial Hall, Milwaukee’s Central Library, 733 N. 8^th St., Milwaukee.

Saturday and Sunday, March 27 and 28 – Breakfast & Lunch with the Bunny at the Zoo, 9am-4:30pm Sponsored by Racine Danish Kringles. At Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 West Blue Mound Road, Milwaukee. milwaukeezoo.org 256-5466

Save the date! Saturday, April 10, South Milwaukee Downtown Spring Market and Business Fair, 10am-3pm At Bucyrus International, 1100 Milwaukee Av, South Milwaukee. www.smdowntownmarket.org

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

Ongoing:

Music Under Glass, Tuesdays and Thursdays until March 18, 6:30-8:30pm

Enjoy the new lighting of the domes with light shows at the break and following the concert. Regular admission applies. At The Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd. 649-9830. Check out the schedule of music at: www.county.milwaukee.gov/FloralShowampEventSc10360/MusicUnderGlass.htm

Taken from the southmilwaukee.org/eVents newsletter:

South Milwaukee’s "Fresh Water Days" Planned for Thursday and Friday

Interest Grows To Help Businesses Affected by Water Emergency

A few weeks ago my blog asked you to post what you are most proud of in South Milwaukee.  There were some great things listed.  A few that came up several times were:

Grant Park and our beautiful green spaces, our great festivals, the various clubs that do great things for the city and parks, the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center, the Little League, our schools, and Bucyrus Erie.

I love all these things about South Milwaukee.  In high school I lived very close to Grant Park and spent a lot of time there. I walked to the lagoon to ice skate in the winter, watched the kids play at the little league park, marched through the city streets in the So Milwaukee High School Band, and my first job was at the BE Club (now Papa Luigi's II).  Bucyrus Erie employed my father and step-father - and many of my friend's dads.  A picture I painted still hangs in the library. I think what brought me back to live here as an adult is the small town feel and the friendly residents.  It's close enough to my job and it's easy to get there via the 794 Parkway.

All these sentiments were echoed in the comments listed at www.southmilwaukee.org/guestlog.htm . Won't you check it out and post some of your own?

Ever since CJ's Station House Bar and Restaurant opened in Cudahy, I've been getting requests from friends and readers to check it out and give it a write up.  So finally we stopped in for lunch on Saturday.  The place is nicely renovated and decorated with firefighter paraphenalia... firemen coats and hats, antique fire extinguishers, police patches from various places. 

Being late for lunchtime on a Saturday before a football game was to start made the bar pretty empty, but that was just fine with me. The smoking area is way in the back far from the tables where they serve food and the main bar area. The menu is relatively simple with daily specials added, and they also do a Friday fish fry. The prices are reasonable and our burgers were very good with many choices of toppings and presented on toasted kaiser rolls. The bar manager was also handling cooking that day and did a great job.  They list a couple of steaks on the menu with really good prices, I'll be going back for dinner sometime soon. Has anyone else been there lately? What did you think?

Cj's Station House

Recently I posted a blog about the things I remembered about the South Side that were my favorites and many of you responded with your own.  That was really fun!  Sometimes it's much too easy to focus on all the bad things that happen - so lets continue to focus on the good for a little while as we ring in the New Year. . .

Teaming up with Alderman Jim Shelenske, we thought we'd create a place for you to list all the things about South Milwaukee that you are proud of.  Post your comments here:  "Top 100" Things to be proud of in South Milwaukee.  We'll gather them up and create a summary.  We already added a few to start us off . . .

While you are there, check out the South Milwaukee.org website.  Jim put this together some time ago and updates it.  It is a great place to check out what's going on and when, city information and news, and he'll even send it to your email account if you sign up there.

Happy New Year to everyone, and THANK YOU for continuing to read my blog.

-Wende

Monday, December 21st, at 7:30 PM the annual South Milwaukee High School Yuletide Festival Concert at the South Milwaukee PAC 901 15th Avenue.  Free!

People will be on hand to collect items for Human Concerns also. 

If you love the Christmas Feaste, you’ll love this concert. This concert has a new format and features the performance groups from the Ye Olde Christmas Feaste, and will feature a new joint work by Clare Grundman called "Three Noels." In SMHS music tradition, the concert will end with the singing of Handel’s "Hallelujah Chorus". All are invited to attend, sing and to get yourself into the holiday spirit. 

I miss these things about the South Side. How many do you remember?

Gimbels and JC Penney Outlet at Packard Plaza, Lloyd's Lunch (in SM), Grebe's Bakery (SM), IHop (Cudahy), Greg's Pumpkin Tree (Cudahy), the 41 Twin Drive-In, Majestic theater, Garden Theater, the Spectacle of Music (the old way with the parade and competition), Big Boy's and Taco Bell (in SM), ice skating at the lagoon, walking the RR tracks to get from one end of SM to the other, the "pit" behind SM High, Miss Awe, the BE Club (my first job!), Ladish, when the City of South Milwaukee Offices was an elementary school, And the ROCKETS (especially when they beat the Packers), Black Bear Soda in Cudahy,  and picking apples in the abandoned orchard which is now Bender Park on Ryan Road.  Now that I'm thinking about it, there are way too many to mention them all here...Can you tell I went to So Milwaukee High School?  I'm not telling how long ago it was though!

Looking for a quick, but healthy meal this week? Dine at the Cousins in South Milwaukee on Thursday, December 10, and not only feed your hunger, but support the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. 10% of ALL sales will be donated to the SMPAC to assist with educational programming for the 2010-2011 Season.

Chck out the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center's website:   http://www.southmilwaukeepac.org/