It's summer, so the city is more than alive. With our nose to the Milwaukee grindstone, OMC brings you our monthly look at the stuff, tidbits, rumors and buzz that shape our wonderful city.
GREEN DRAGON ON FARWELL
As first reported here, the former Farwell Coffee Bar, 2010 N. Farwell Ave., has officially become Green Dragon Freedom Café. Open M-F 8 a.m.-11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-midnight, Green Dragon sports a smoke-free environment, sandwiches with organic meat and, of course, great coffee.
MORE FARWELL BUZZ, ABU
Abu's has completed its remodeling. Stop in at 1978 N. Farwell Ave. and have a look.
RED ARROW COFFEE
The Starbucks at Red Arrow Park, across from the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, is set to open June 28.
KB GOES GARAGE
Kevin Brandt's new band, MKB, has a new song, "I Want You Tonight," on Garageband.com. It features Mary Karlzen -- in whose band KB plays guitar -- on vocals. Check it out here,
http://www.garageband.com/artist/mkb
NEW ART FEST COMING
MARN (Milwaukee Artist Resource Network) is organizing a new, downtown arts festivals for September at Pere Marquette Park.
WE ARE #25 AND #9
Forbes ranked Milwaukee #25 in its annual "best places for singles" piece. Forbes.com's readers ranked Milwaukee #9 in the same survey.
THEY'LL BE KICKIN' IN MKE
Opening the season at the new Milwaukee Theatre in spectacular style on December 11 will be the 2003 edition of "The Radio City Christmas Spectacular," starring the Radio City Rockettes, in their Milwaukee debut. Ninety minutes of live holiday entertainment where snowmen shimmy, reindeer fly, elves rap and the Radio City Rockettes perform their fancy footwork and eye-high kicks. The season continues with "Urinetown: The Musical" (February 10-15), "Miss Saigon" (March 16-21), "Fame: The Musical" (May 11-16) and "Oliver!" (July 20-25). Call (414) 908-6195 or 1-800-464-3031.
AMAZON COMING TO MILWAUKEE?
Watch for Amazon, a new pizza joint, to open downtown at 222 W. Wells St. by summer's end. "Nice tomatoes and fresh pizza" is their tag line. Whole or by the slice, pizza chef Louis Santini will also includes appetizers, salad, pasta, beer, wine, ice cream and gourmet coffee on his menu.
PARK IT WITH OMC
OnMilwaukee.com, the City of Milwaukee, Sysco, SBC and Green Wireless are working on installation of wireless networks at Pere Marquette and Cathedral Square Parks. Beginning in early Summer, users with wi-fi enabled computers (most likely a laptop) can detect and access the free network at either park. They will be asked to agree to an AUP (acceptable use policy) and then they will be taken automatically to a start page designed and developed by Milwaukee's only daily magazine, OMC!
CHRIS CLOSED
Christopher's Steak House on Astor has closed, and the chef will help open Aqua, the new joint at the Park East that the Buzz first reported on.
MILWAUKEE DOWTOWN MOVES
Milwaukee Downtown, the Business Improvement District group that helps make downtown happen, has moved from 600 W. Wisconsin Ave. to 600 E. Wells St. inside the old St. John's offices.
FRENCH PASTRY FOR GRAIN EXCHANGE
The first floor of The Grain Exchange Condos, 741 N. Milwaukee St., will house a new French bakery, cuisine and pastry restaurant.
NEW DOWNTOWN GROCER
One rumor has a Sendik's or Grasch's-type grocer opening on Michigan Street around 4th or 5th Street. It would be welcome addition to the downtown neighborhood.
OLD NAVY SCOUTS DOWNTOWN
Officials from Old Navy were in town on June 12 checking out downtown and looking for a new store along Wisconsin Ave. They have realized that
Milwaukee has a huge and growing college crowd that loves their clothes.
MARKET OPENS ON 25th
Wisconsin's oldest, at least one of its oldest, Farmers Market is in the heart of downtown Milwaukee at Zeidler Union Square. Join The Westown Farmers Market on Wed., June 25 as it opens for the season. The market is open from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. every Wednesday through October. In other Westown news, Stacie Callies -- who runs the market -- has been promoted to Events and Marketing Manager at Westown and executive director Stephanie Sherman is leaving in July to open her own business. Ellen Winters, of Metro Networks media fame, will join Callies as executive director to help continue Westown's momentum. If you've met or heard Ellen, you know she has the energy to help keep downtown's buzz going.
OLD GROOM TO GO CUBAN
Chef Marc and his wife Marta Bianchini, who run one of Milwaukee's finest restaurants, Osteria del Mondo, 1028 E. Juneau Ave., are opening Cubanitas, a Cuban-style restaurant 728 N. Milwaukee St., the former home of Groom. They aim to be open by Harley's 100th at the end of August.
REEDSTREET CLOSED
Reed Street Station is closed. The building has been sold. But Maxfest Productions assures it they will continue promoting shows at other venues.
DOWNTOWN COWS
A cow in downtown Milwaukee? Yes, and not one of those Chicago Cows. The first-ever "Cows on the Square" event, sponsored by We Energies is Fri., June 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Zeidler Park. "Cows on the Square" will increase awareness of The Agriculture Services Program and demonstrate support for Wisconsin's dairy industry. Pet a cow, drink milk.
EAST SIDE BUZZ
The City is planning a groundbreaking for the new Small Animal Hospital's new building project at 2342 N. Newhall Ave., just behind McDonald's, on June 16. Milwaukee County also is working on the grand opening of the new East Side Bike Ramp.
SUMMERFEST WINS ANOTHER
The Events Media and eventcrazy.com's coveted Event of the Year award bestows special recognition on those events that have made an impact on individuals and society. Serious stuff. This year, Summerfest was chosen as one of the top three music events along with Newport Jazz Fest and Country USA. The Great Circus Parade was chosen as one of the top three parades along with Tournament of Roses Parade and Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. Congrats.
