Play in the City

Back to the Grind

I’m back.

Actually, I got back from Los Angeles on Friday night and have since been poorly readjusting to the time change.

On a whole, the trip was good. The convention went well and work was cake and the last few days were superbly relaxed.

In between work, Eric and I had the nights to bum around the city with my coworkers. We explored downtown L.A., which to be honest, I wasn’t very fond of. Naturally, the city is centered on businesses, so most restaurants and bars closed by 11 p.m., so there was minimal nightlife in proximity to our hotel. I was also surprised by the distance between each bar or restaurant. Unlike Milwaukee where you simply walk across the street or next door to the next bar or eatery, in downtown L.A. you had to walk a couple of miles to and from each. No joke.

Downtown L.A. was quite dirty and smoggy too, especially in our hotel’s vicinity. That was a bit of a turnoff, but there were some aspects that were very interesting – in particular, the city’s diversity and history. We explored notable neighborhoods such as the fashion, jewelry and financial district. We also hiked several miles to the gaudy yet extraordinary Chinatown and ate some delicious dimsong (or something like that) followed by potent sake in Koreatown.

Additionally, my coworkers, Eric and I had the chance to eat at some fine restaurants like the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and Wolfgang Puck Cafe along the Universal CityWalk. Unfortunately, on some nights when I worked late, we were forced to either order Pizza Hut to our hotel room or dine on appetizers at the hotel bar, which left much to be desired.

On our actual vacation, Eric and I explored Hollywood, which was awfully disappointing. While it was cool to see Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the Walk of Fame and the Kodak Theatre, that part of Hollywood proved to just be a tourist trap where everyone was out to get a buck from unsuspecting sightseers. That didn't completely mar our visit, though.

Summerfest Stuff to Know & Do

For many locals Summerfest kick-starts summer in Milwaukee.

Have you been to Summerfest yet?

I still haven't had the chance to make it to the "Big Gig" this year, but I'm hoping to get there on Wednesday night.

Until then, I figured I would compile a list of things to do in case you haven't gone yet or are planning to go more than once.

Summerfest continues until July 6, so you still have time to experience the "World's Largest Music Festival" once, twice or eleven times!

1. Learn how to get in for free by clicking here
2. Print your Summerfest tickets from home with NO fees. Just click here.
3. Listen to the Emerging Artists Series every day from 3 to 8 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular Connections Stage, and then vote for your favorite band
4. Take a shuttle from any of the park and ride locations
5. Two words: Fried. Cheese.
6. Get in for FREE on July 6 from noon until 3 p.m. for We Energies Free Day
7. People watch – Summerfest brings out EVERYONE
8. Listen to The Roots groove on the 4th
9. Be a VIP on the Captain’s Deck
10. Score a wristband for free lawn seats at the Marcus Amphitheater
11. Ride the Skyglider
12. Know what bands you want to see and where they are performing. Go from point A to Point B with a purpose.
13. Support local music every day at the Cascio Interstate Music Groove Garage
14. Watch a live newscast
15. If you live less than five miles away, walk to the gates
16. Bring ear plugs
17. Learn how Summerfest has gone green
18. Check out these emerging artists – Stunkenberg, People in Planes, American Taxi and Ra Ra Riot – sponsored by FM 102.1
19. Watch the BMX Stunt Team at the Sentry SportsZone 
20. Try gator on a stick at Crawdaddy’s
21. When it's über crowded, stroll the lake path
22. Find good parking in greater Downtown by heading over here
23. Have a martini at Jo Jo's Martini Lounge
24. Sample everything from Thai beef jerky to shish-ke-bob and sauerbraten sandwiches to tamales at the Ethnic Village
25. Wear really comfortable shoes that aren't open toe
26. Text a friend so that everyone can see your message on the Text-2-Screen at the U.S. Cellular Connections Stage
27. Buy a Summerfest T-shirt
28. Please, leave your babies at home, oh, and the enormous strollers. Thank you.
29. Chuckle at Comedy Sportz
30. See your favorite radio DJ broadcast live
31. Relax in the larger-than-life Legendary Leinenkugel’s Lounger
32. Be responsible
33. Tip the street performers
34. Braid a mullet
35. Ride your Hog and park for FREE
36. For a sugar high or head freeze eat a giant Hawaiian Shave Ice
37. Play hooky from work and get in for only $8 before 4 p.m.
38. Tee up three balls for $6 at the Hole-In-One sponsored by Grand Geneva Resort and Spa and win great prizes
39. Watch the water ski show
40. Dance on a picnic table
41. Pedal to the grounds, but remember to lock up your bicycle
42. Chase the kiddies on the jungle gyms and slides at the Children’s PlayZone
43. Learn about your favorite exotic animals at the Wild World of Animals
44. Gobble up Saz’s mozzarella marinara
45. Dress in layers. It might be hot during the day, but the lakefront gets quite chilly at night
46. Wear deodorant. For everybody’s sake!
47. Get away from the crowd and cool off at the same time in the Columbia St. Mary’s Cool Down Lounge
48. Kick back in a real leather seat found on one of Midwest Airlines Boeing 717s
49. Get lucky by playing free bingo at the Potawatomi Bingo Casino Stage and Pavilion
50. Wear a big red smile – you know what I'm talkin' about.

Feel free to share your suggestions below and perhaps I'll add them to my list. Let's try to come up with 100 things!

Freaky Fast Sandwich Auction

Forget to pack food for Jazz in the Park this week.

Just before Jazz in the Park starts, Jimmy John's is hosting their Freaky Fast Sandwich Auction right there in Cathedral Square.

Head over to to the Kilbourn Avenue side of the park around 5:30 p.m. when fast-talking charity auctioneer Jim Miller will be auctioning off unique packages consisting of Jimmy John’s gourmet sandwiches paired with other themed prizes.

All of the money raised at the Jimmy John's Freaky Fast Sandwich Auction will be donated to the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist's Open Door Cafe meal program, which provides food to the homeless Sunday through Friday, serving up to 250 people per day. So, not only will you get a "Turkey Tom" or "County Club" for dinner, hundreds of needy people will also have a good meal.

Make sure you get downtown quickly because Cathedral Square is bound to fill up with jazz-goers, plus this auction is so "freaky fast" that it'll be over by 6 p.m.

Happy Anniversary to Me!

Do you know what I just realized? I bet you can tell by the title...

Just one year ago this month, I took the helm of Play in the City!

It's hard to believe that I've already been blogging for an entire year and that I've surpassed my 200th post by now.

Boy, I guess time does fly when you're having fun!

Summer is Upon Us

It’s here. It’s finally here!

How I’ve yearned for longer days, the scents of cut grass and sunscreen, a body quenching dip in the pool, and a gooey s'more constructed over a campfire.

Summers in Milwaukee are especially treasured. Surviving nine months of harsh winter weather really makes locals appreciate the summer thaw much more, yes, even the humidity!

Thus, it’s no surprise that Milwaukee knows how to celebrate summertime. In fact, a multitude of festivals and seasonal events abound Milwaukee, making these three months some of my favorite times spent here.

This summer I have a plethora of activities on the agenda that include:

• Kayaking down the Milwaukee River
• Skydiving for the first time
• Cherry picking at the Apple Holler
• Touring the new Harley-Davidson Museum on opening weekend
• Celebrating the arts at Gathering on the Green
• Watching a great lineup of movies – The Wizard of Oz, the Muppets Take Manhattan, the Goonies – under the star at Pere Marquette Park during River Flicks
• Fishing in McKinley Marina or in Veterans Park Lagoon

Plus, there are many events to partake in like Cedarburg’s 23rd Annual Strawberry Festival, Harley’s 105th Anniversary Celebration, numerous ethnic festivals and, of course, the long awaited Summerfest and Wisconsin State Fair.

Additionally, I have a handful of weddings to attend and mini trips to take. I’ll be heading to the Dells to race down water slides, Missouri to send time in the Ozarks with Eric’s family, and again, to Chicago for another year of Lollapalooza.

Do you have any big plans for the summer? If so, please feel free to share them in the comments section.

Whatever you have planned, whether it’s swimming, camping, fishing or traveling, make sure you cherish the summer because before you know it, the leaves will be falling and we’ll be back to wearing sweaters and scarves. Ick!

Heading Westward

I’m just about done packing. FINALLY!

Tomorrow I’m hopping on a plane at Mitchell International Airport and flying West to California for a business convention, and then for a few vacation days filled with much needed R&R. I have a feeling that this is going to be a really great trip!

Sure, I’ll be working Sunday through Tuesday, but the rest of the time will be spent relaxing and having fun around Los Angeles with Eric – like I said, he’s flying down with me for the week. After the convention, Eric and I will be able to hit the beach and have fun at Universal Studios Hollywood and along the CityWalk. We also have plans to check out Hollywood and the Walk of Fame and the Chinese Theater, you know, all of the touristy things that make for great photo ops.

I'll be back home in Milwaukee by next weekend, but I'll try to check in every once in a while from my hotel or maybe while I'm on the beach... Well, probably not from the beach 'cause that's strictly dedicated to swimming and sunbathing! Regardless, I hope you stop back while I'm gone.

In the meantime be sure to check out three of my favorite summertime events – Polish Fest, Lakefront Festival of Arts and the Summer Soulstice on the East Side – happening this weekend. I’m a little bummed that I’ll miss the chance to see Local H rock out right in my backyard, but I’ll get over it. Yep, just did. I’m going on vacation, baby!

Have a great week, everyone! I’ll share some photos from my trip when I return.

Swig

Living in Milwaukee for several years, I’ve learned that there are many diverse neighborhoods within the city that have their own distinct personalities and help make up Milwaukee’s overall character.

Naturally, for a newcomer it could be a struggle to find the right niche. That’s why when Swig originally opened on Water Street, Milwaukee’s biggest bar district, its martini lounge meets small plate dining concept didn’t exactly appeal to the beer bingeing, college-age bar hoppers who patronize that area. Knowing the restaurant/lounge wasn’t as well served on Water Street as it could be elsewhere, Swig closed its Water Street location last summer after 30 months of undesirably slow business.

Swig wasn’t forever gone, though. When Sauce closed after eight years of food service, the opportunity to move into its Third Ward location finally arrived. At last, Swig reopened this spring at 217 N. Broadway, which instantly became a perfect fit, combining elegant cuisine and creative cocktails with swanky lounge grandiosity.

After noticing that Swig had moved, I was determined to check out the new space. Conveniently, I could still partake in Downtown Dining Week, which provided a great opportunity to try another new restaurant. So, that Wednesday night, I eagerly met Rose at Swig’s Third Ward location for dinner and drinks.

Finding parking in the Third Ward is always tricky, but eventually a spot opened on Broadway and I marched over to the restaurant. Inside I was greeted by two very chirpy hostesses. They took my name and indicated that there would be a 30-minute wait, so they gave me one of those vibrating gadgets to hold onto. I was a little vexed by the wait, mostly just because I was starving. I guess I figured that because it was Wednesday night, we wouldn’t have to make reservations because it wouldn’t be especially busy. But, apparently Downtown Dining Week was successful in attracting droves of patrons interested in checking out the place for the first time. Go figure.

With the buzzer in hand, I slid into one of the tall, plush cushioned benches adjacent to the bar and thought about ordering a cocktail. Instead, I decided to wait for Rose and just scanned the scene.

Denis Sullivan Homecoming Gala

Under a sunny sky filled with fluffy, regal clouds, they sailed along the Gulf Stream near Florida. It was the same course as last year so the scent of fresh salt water and the warm tropical breeze evoked a familiarity among most of the crew. As the schooner cut through the rough Gulf waters, waves hammered against the gangway of the ship and rolled over the deck, tossing mist into the humid air, which generally acted as a better air conditioner than the ones the crew left back home in Milwaukee.

It was a glorious day, one that reminded them of why they truly love the open sea and sailing upon it. By midnight, though, the weather turned ferocious, kicking up eight-foot waves that engulfed the schooner and began to submerge its wooden deck. It’s hard to believe that only a few hours before, the deck provided a place for students to relax or study the ocean, or learn how to help set the sails, coil the lines and steer the ship.

At that moment, however, no one was relaxing – the ship was sinking! Without hesitation, the schooner’s brave crew worked with conviction, hand pumping the six feet of water on deck as other shipmates successfully rescued three men whose boat had been swallowed by waves and dark waters. Later, this night went down in history as the vessel’s most exciting journey.

This was an actual account from Captain Hugh Covert of the S/V Denis Sullivan that I read at ExpressMilwaukee.com. Sure, I dramatized it a bit, but clearly sailing the open sea isn’t a walk in the park – it definitely is an adventure! That’s why after hearing a thrilling story like that, I was even more eager to see the Great Lakes schooner up close and in person at Discovery World.

A few Saturdays ago, on a day reminiscent of that winter voyage along the Gulf Stream, I joined thousands of excited people at Discovery World to celebrate the Denis Sullivan’s official arrival at its summer port at Pier Wisconsin. The homecoming had the prospect of being a grandiose gala; unfortunately, it was forced to end abruptly due to inclement weather.

Eric and I arrived exactly at 3 p.m., parked in Discovery World’s underground garage and signed in at a long table centered on the lengthy promenade. Here we were given a wrist band for access to all of Discovery World, along with a food voucher, and then we aimlessly wandered around not really knowing what was in store for us.

An Outsider’s Take on Milwaukee

If you had a friend come into town, where would you bring him/her? The Milwaukee Art Museum? Brady Street? Miller Park? Lakefront Brewery?

Previously, I mentioned Eric’s friend Kevin coming to Milwaukee a few weeks ago. While I probably would have taken my friends to a couple of other places, I think Eric did a good job at showing Kevin aspects of our city and making him feel at home. Maybe Kevin will even revisit...

Kevin and Eric have known each other since their pubescent years in Singapore. Before Kevin's recent visit, it had been nearly three years since they were in the same town and it was my first time meeting Eric’s best bud, which was a little nerve-racking.

Kevin is an interesting guy. He’s a salesman in North Carolina and a wannabe comedian. From the sound of it, he “enjoyed the cheese” here and based on what I witnesses, he definitely had some stories to bring home to his southern friends. We had a lot of fun!

While in town, Kevin offered to write a guest blog about his visit to Milwaukee. After some editing – I try to maintain a PG rating here at PITC – and correcting some of Kevin’s “fact checking errors” and adding links, I thought it was ready to share with all of you. I’m pretty pleased with what he had to say and was even more surprised that he actually followed through with it. Thanks Kevin!

If you think reading a "guest" blogger's perspective is an interesting addition to the site, I might ask every friend to recap their trip to Milwaukee, well, if I can get my buds to visit, that is.

Cough.

Cough.

Come on, ladies!

Until then, say "hi" to Kevin and feel free to comment on his thoughts or share what you like/dislike about the places he went. Also, do you think Milwaukee was well represented? If not, what would you do to show “the real Milwaukee?”

Let me know what you think!

You Say Tomato, I Say Farmers Market!

I love farmers markets.

From perusing the vast selection of fresh fruits and organic veggies to taking in the incredible aroma of the various seasonal flowers and pungent herbs, farmers markets are a great alternative to supermarket shopping.

Actually, beginning last summer, I started taking full advantage of the East Town Market and The East Side Open Market almost every Saturday. They are close to my apartment and offer a great variety of produce.

While I’m usually an avid market shopper anyway, there’s another reason to shop there right now: for salmonella-free tomatoes. I’m serious!

Seventeen states including Wisconsin, Illinois, Virginia, Texas, California, and so on, have experienced salmonella outbreaks linked to three types of raw tomatoes – red plum, red Roma and round red tomatoes – and the list of supermarkets and restaurants yanking those varieties off the shelves and menus keeps growing.

Come to think of it, I went to Qdoba the other day and was shocked that they didn’t have any salsa for my nachos. It later donned on me that it was due to the tomato scare.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said to news sources that since mid-April, 167 people have been infected with salmonella of the same “genetic fingerprint” and at least 23 of those people have been hospitalized, and one person has died.

To be safe, the FDA suggests avoiding tomatoes unless they were grown in unaffected states. Additionally, cherry tomatoes and grapes tomatoes, homegrown tomatoes or those sold with the vine still attached are likely not the source of the salmonella outbreak. So, besides those tomatoes grown in your backyard, another place to get some red and raw tomatoes that aren't tainted is at your neighborhood’s farmers market.

Now everyone should be more inclined to visit their local farmers market, no? Not only will you find a fresh, organic and appetizing assortment of fruits and vegetables, you’ll be able to pick up tomatoes of the non-salmonella variety.

Open for the summer and always close to home, the markets give local farmers the chance to display their goods, while giving residents the chance to socialize and browse the homegrown produce lining the aisles in an open-air and inviting setting.

I did a little research online and found a list of Wisconsin farmers markets. I encourage you to take the time to find one in your vicinity. Let’s not fear the tomato anymore!