By nearly all accounts, it was an amazing Milwaukee weekend. People had "summer fever," it was Gallery Night, the Brewers took two out of three (did you know, too, that they've doubled in every game this season?) and the sun was shining bright.
Need a recap? Even if you don't, here you go:
First, the good:
Gallery Night
I say this every Gallery Night, but will again. Seriously, where do all of these people come from!? They were everywhere and Downtown, especially the Third Ward, had real, live traffic jams. It was great! Gallery Night has become a signature Milwaukee event that shouldn't be missed. It's also become a bigger family event (there were strollers everywhere). Hats off, Milwaukee.
Miller Park
Got to the Friday Brewers/Astros game at about the fifth inning. Fashionably late. But, we saw five highly entertaining innings. Hitting, pitching and even friendly service from the Brewers front office staff who were "interning" at the game. Thanks, Lynn Sprangers, for showing me to my seat. Anyway, Miller Park has really become one of the more fan-friendly places in the majors. Even a late inning meltdown by Greg Aquino didn't damper the experience.
Shanel Regier Fashion Show
Saturday's show from local designer Shanel Reiger was simply amazing. Reiger and her team transformed a still-under-renovations Turner Ballroom into something you'd see at Fashion Week in New York City. Her clothes, the models, the buzz -- all were top notch. Trust me, Shanel Regier is a Milwaukee name that you'll hear more and more about very soon. Full disclosure, OMC was an event sponsor and Shanel sells her stuff at my wife's store. Still, doesn't take away her talent and the magnitude of her weekend show.
Sunday at Alterra at the Lake
It had been a while since I've been to Alterra at the Lake on a Sunday morning. We went, though, on Sunday and the place was packed. Lines out the door. But, you know what? We got our coffee and food pretty quickly. Kudos to the staff who were more than busting it on a very busy Sunday.
And, the one "bad:"
Access on the Riverwalk
Say what you will about the Milwaukee Riverwalk. Sure, it needs more restaurants and true destinations. But, it's truly helped rejuvenate Downtown and it's growing each and every year. But, it's still very inaccessible despite $1.5 million worth of modifications currently underway. Let's speed up the ramp construction and get it done in time for summer.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
