Play in the City

Fireworks Light Up the Lakefront

One of the highlights of summer for me is Fourth of July weekend.

Yep, it’s great to have an extended weekend, but what makes the holiday extra special are the blazing fireworks that light up the pitch-black sky on July 3.

Each year Milwaukeeans are dazzled by a spectacular Independence Day celebration that’s performed one day early by Bartolotta Fireworks Company and hosted by US Bank.

Milwaukee’s US Bank fireworks show was an honored tradition for my family and I until my parents moved north to West Bend. But this year, after a four-year hiatus, I decided to relive one of my favorite pastimes.

I took the day off of work to head to Lake Michigan’s lakefront and I met up with my friend Lizzie at her place near Brady Street to gather up some last odds and ends. We figured that since we were the only two who could get out of work, we’d secure a spot early in Veterans Park and hold down the fort until the rest of our friends could get there.

See, you’d be crazy to assume that you can show up at 6 p.m. and score a place to watch the show. Already by 4 p.m. Veterans Park was brimming with thousands of families and friends, locals and visitors who were grilling out, picnicking or just relaxing as they anticipated the night’s spectacular.

From McKinley Marina to the Milwaukee Art Museum, the entire lakefront looked like one enormous camp ground as hundreds of tents and campers scattered the once bare terrain. Many of these people camped out over night and declared their seats by roping off a large plot with police tape – that got a little ridiculous if you ask me.

Lizzie and I made a quick run to Pick ‘n Save to get a couple of snacks to munch on – fruits, veggies, chips – and some beer, and then picked up two #6 sandwiches at Jimmy John’s on Brady Street. We filled a couple of coolers and found several blankets, and then we made the short hike to Lake Michigan to stake out our spot.

Happy Independence Day!

I love July 4th!

Sure, I enjoy having the day off of work and I adore a fantastic display of well orchestrated pyrotechnics, but I also try to keep in mind that July 4 is more than a fun holiday centered on fireworks, food and family and friends.

Of course, the Fourth of July is a commemoration of the founding of our nation and the struggles and achievements that came along with it.

So, let’s take a moment today to remember the events that shaped this annual celebration and the importance of Independence Day to our history and future as a nation.

With that, have a fun filled and eventful Fourth of July! 

Happy Memorial Day!

Let’s all hoist a cold libation of our choice this weekend in honor of all of the heroes who make it possible.

Have a GREAT Memorial Day! Keep it safe.

Slainte!

For those of us at work...bummer.

But for those of you with green beer already flowing through your veins or those who are out on the town for corned beef, I leave you with a toast in honor of St. Patrick's Day...

Here's to a long life and a merry one.
A quick death and an easy one.
A handsome man (or woman) and an honest one.
A cold beer and another one!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

No matter what you're doing today, have a good one!

Romance at Balzac

I caved.

Eric made reservations at the fabulous Balzac Wine Bar for a late Valentine’s Day dinner and of course I went – not even kicking or screaming – because I was pleasantly surprised by his gesture. We ate a ton and didn’t pay a ridiculous amount for such a divine meal, nor did we shower each other with over-the-top gifts, just candy and a couple quirky things like the Stuff on My Cat book, which I find hilarious, and the exact same card (how often does that happen?).

I’ll admit it. I had fun.

We held hands, shared food – Balzac’s entire menu is meant to be shared, which is pretty romantic – and I even smiled (naturally). But! I still wore black, so I haven’t completely kicked my Valentine’s Day protest to the curb, although I feel a little hypocritical. But I guess there’s nothing wrong with celebrating love after all.

Eric came over around 7:30 and we exchanged our cheesy gifts – we weren’t going for expensive or glitzy, just simple and thoughtful – and then we drove to Brady Street, found parking right away and were immediately seated in a booth for two.

The single-room eatery was intimate and dimly lit with glowing chandeliers and dancing candles all around. It was the perfect Valentine’s Day spot, which was no secret considering the entire restaurant was brimming with hand-holding couples who were whispering sweet nothings to each other.

At times the underground hip-hop/funk music got a little loud, but it never hindered our conversations; it actually made the scene hip and fun as I'd occasionally pause from dinner to groove to the funky beats. Really, the young couple sitting next to us was more of a distraction – they couldn’t keep their paws off each other!

But before I lost my appetite, we selected two glasses of red Zinfandel from the three-page, staple-bound wine list that our waitress guided us through. A bartender hopped onto a chair and grabbed the bottle from a wine bin that was jutting out from the dark chocolate walls above me, and then served our wine in stem-less crystal glasses.

While we sipped our tart wine, we began to scan the menu and tried to pace ourselves, but the wealth of small plate options kept taunting our taste buds. What’s cool is that you can gradually order more and more plates at your own speed, so if you’ve already had one entrée and a dessert, but you still really want to try the scallops, you can! It's very unconventional, and I like that.

We ordered the Balzac cheese flight to start. Three types of cheeses came with different fruits, nuts, bread and crackers for pairing. We got generous helpings and many bites, so it was rather filling. Then, we ordered a delicate vegetarian strudel followed by savory lamb chops over a bed of grilled veggies, and finally a Guinness cake to round out our feast. The presentation was remarkable and because each plate was served with such artistry, I almost felt guilty about eating them.

Even though the portions weren’t Milwaukee-sized – it seems that most people rate food based on quantity and not quality – it ended up being a substantial meal for the two of us. Just because the menu boasts tapas and small plate fare, it doesn’t mean you get half the food and twice the price. Our dinner was very upscale, but affordable, which was perfect.

We spent two hours at Balzac and were thoroughly entertained through food and drink and great company.

Maybe this Valentine’s Day hoopla is something that can grow on me…

3...2...1...

Happy New Year!

Even though it’s belated, that greeting will be said and heard for at least the first couple of weeks as the New Year gets under way.

Last week, I was sad that Christmas was winding down, but the anticipation of an all-inclusive party package, care of 103.7 KISS FM and the Olympia Resort, kept me in high spirits.

I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m not too keen on the excessive rap that KISS FM tends to play, it’s a little too much for my tastes. Needless to say, I was a little wary of the crowd this party would draw and the music that I’d be subject to all night. However, KISS’s deal - $300 for two guests including one night stay at the Olympia Resort, host drinks, three rooms of entertainment, a balloon drop, a brunch buffet and late check-out – was just WAY too superb to pass up.

My friends and I wanted to go all out this year and this all-you-can-eat-and-drink type package was everything we were looking for as it involved minimal planning and avoided outrageous cover charges, crowded bars and overpriced drinks.

Our group of nine met at the hotel to take advantage of the early check in. Eric and I arrived around 4 p.m. and since the event didn’t start until 8:30, we had plenty of time to get situated and ready for our night of overindulgence.

Once everyone was accounted for, we threw a modest pre-party in one of the hotel rooms. Amid pastel walls and floral linens, we kicked off the evening’s celebrations with hotel glasses brimming with bubbly as we made a toast to friends and the prospect of a fun night.

Another Chirstmas Came and Went

Today, I’m starting to take down some of the Christmas decorations around my apartment, so I figured this would be a good time to reflect on all of the festivities that started with putting the tree and lights and ornaments up in the first place.

The days leading up to Christmas were a whirlwind of activity. Fortunately, once Christmas Eve rolled around I was able to find time to relax, well, sort of.

It was our first Christmas at my parent’s new home in West Bend, but it felt like they’ve been there for years. The house was decorated like the home I grew up in with several trees covered in ornaments, poinsettias on top of each table, stockings hanging from the mantel and Nat King Cole carols ringing throughout the entire house.

When we arrived, Eric and I settled in front of the Packers game just in time for kickoff, although I wish we hadn’t since the Bears made the Pack look like they were in the Pee Wee League. As my dad sat enthralled by the game, I cringed as I watched and eventually distracted myself by playing tug-of-war with the dogs and indulging in mom’s sugar cookies. Even though it was a tough game to sit through, it wouldn’t be Christmas without watching football!

After that train wreck of a game and a little lost pride, it was time to make pierogies. This is a long-standing tradition for my family. Each year we use my grandma Cinpinski's recipe, which has been passed down to my mom and now to me, and on Christmas Eve it’s customary to fry them and gobble them up.

Following dinner, my mom, Eric and I played several games of Rummikub while my brother and sister watched movies, and then we finally called it a night. But just as fast as I fell asleep, Christmas Eve was upon us. I jumped out of bed with a burst of excitement – that’s quite uncharacteristic for a non-morning person like me – because Christmas Eve is my favorite day during the holiday season. I swear you can feel the sincerity, peace and love wrapped all around you.

This year, we decided that my family would open presents on Christmas Eve and that Eric and I would celebrate Christmas Day in Illinois with his family. So, the day began with minor preparations, a couple Christmas cartoons like Frosty the Snowman and A Charlie Brown Christmas, followed by a feast of Polish favorites, ham, potatoes, and so on. The rest of the night was spent drinking wine and spiked eggnog, opening presents, and then relaxing together in front of a roaring fire while watching the marathon of A Christmas Story on TBS over and over and over again.

Holidays at my family’s house are always simple and cozy and relaxing, which was the perfect antidote for a hectic month. That night was particularly special – mainly because we can sometimes be quite the dysfunctional bunch as most families can be from time to time.

Then, it was Christmas Day.

Everyone got up early and had breakfast, Eric learned how to chop wood with the neighbors (don’t ask), and then we were off to Illinois. My new GPS worked like a charm (thanks Dad) as it directed us to Eric’s aunt’s farmhouse without trouble and in about three and a half hours. For the rest of the day we ate, opened more presents and sat around and visited.

I got to meet Eric’s entire family for the first time that day, which was pretty nerve-racking, but I think I made a pretty good impression. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that close to anyone else’s family before; I really like them.

On Thursday night when we got back to Milwaukee, we completely crashed. I slept about ten hours that night since I was so burnt out from all of the festivities packed into those couple of days.

It’s weird how Christmas has changed since my siblings and I are all grown up now. When we were kids we’d stay up all night waiting for Santa Claus to arrive, and then we'd want to open presents at 2 a.m. because we were so excited. While that anticipation has gone, I have gained more appreciation for my family and care more about spending quality time with them and less about what Santa brought. Nowadays, the holidays are just as exciting, but are even more meaningful as we gather around to reminisce about years past. Times like these make me thankful for what I have and who I share it with.

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas!

Recently, I just can’t help but be distracted when I drive past the Christmas lights at Cathedral Square.

I’ve noticed I’m not the only one who can’t keep my eyes on the road. I’ve seen other drivers’ heads swivel as they admire the holiday lights while stopped at the intersection of Jefferson and Wells. Fortunately for everyone, our focus immediately goes back to the road once the streetlight turns green!

I pass Cathedral Square every night on my way home from work, but tonight I was prompted to grab my gloves and hat from the passenger seat of my car and spend a couple minutes walking around and taking in its dazzling lights.

The theme this year is Community Spirit Park because amid a 50-foot tree of ever-changing red, blue and green LED lights stands an array of Christmas trees decorated by over 40 local schools. Each school’s tree is themed with a different holiday wish and is decorated with handcrafted ornaments by the students. Some students wished for a merry Christmas or team spirit, while others sensibly dedicated a tree to the troops or the arts or humanity.

I stood back and squinted at each tree to make the lights bleed together and twinkle even brighter – that’s something I’ve done since I was a kid. It makes every light’s 'wow factor' significantly increase.

In addition, there is the 99.1 WMYX Santa’s Mailbox where Santa’s helpers have been collecting letters to Santa Claus since November 26 and will continue to do so until Friday, December 14. Each letter is guaranteed a personalized reply from Saint Nick himself, and since I’m still a kid at heart, I’m tempted to drop off my wish list before Friday!

The light exhibit was a little difficult to walk through due to the mounds of snow, but I must say, the park system has been keeping up on the inclement weather and quickly removed all of the snow from the sidewalks that Milwaukee has accumulated over the last 10 days.

Alas, the cold started to get to me as I could feel my ears turning red underneath the flaps of my winter hat, so I proceeded back to my car and headed home to thaw out and cook a comforting dinner.

If you haven’t passed by Cathedral Square yet, here’s an opportunity to check out the sights. It’s really amazing, especially now that there’s a blanket of snow adding to its holiday scene.

Cathedral Square isn’t the only festive park in the city though. Three downtown parks including Cathedral Square have been transformed into winter wonderlands. Each is decorated with hundreds of thousands of colorful, sparkling lights, dancing luminaries and animated exhibits. The buildings and shops surrounding the park are also decked out in elaborate storefront displays and twinkling rooflines that complement the park systems nicely.

These are just some of the things that make Milwaukee’s Holiday Lights Festival so grand!

There are two other downtown parks to check out. Here's what I found online:

Penguin Playground – Pere Marquette Park
(900 N. Plankington Ave. near 3rd and Kilbourn)
Witness animated penguins showing off their seasonal sports skills. You can see them skating, playing hockey, shooting hoops and surfing amid luminous ice castles and igloos.

Holiday Central at the North Pole – Zeidler Union Square
(301 W. Michigan St. between 3rd and 4th Streets)
This is where you’ll get a sneak peek into the North Pole’s headquarters where the elves are gearing up for Santa’s busiest day of the year by transporting gifts by plane, train, truck and even parachute!

If you need help navigating downtown due to the reconstruction of the M-Change, I’d recommend calling (414) 220-4700 ext. 29 to get a free 'Get Around Guide' or click here to map your route. For parking options and rates, check out this site.

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The Milwaukee Holidays Lights Festival
Downtown Milwaukee
November 15, 2007 through January 6, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving!

Just now, snow has begun to gently fall outside, adding to the inch we got last night. If you were on the road at that time, I hope you drove safely. It has been years since the first snow of the season landed on the eve of Thanksgiving. The fresh snow really sets the mood for the start of the holidays.

I'm spending the next two days at my parent's house in West Bend. I can smell the turkey cooking in the oven as I watch the Packers vs. the Lions with my brother and dad. I love Thanksgiving Day football and it’s even better since the Packers are playing today! At the moment, the Packers are leading 17-9 at the start of the third quarter. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they hold on for the win – 10 and 1 would be fantastic!

The only thing that could make this day any better would be a full belly – my stomach is growling! But, we won't be eating until after the Packers game of course. And besides a plate of my mom's sweet potato casserole, it'd also be nice to have Eric here. Instead, I’m making a three and a half hour drive to a town outside of Peoria, Illinois on Saturday morning to close out the weekend with Eric and his folks. I’m really excited because I haven't seen them since this trip in August!

I hope you are with your loved ones right now celebrating and enjoying delicious food and fond memories and budding hopes.

Oh! The Packers just scored another touchdown! 24-9. I need to get back to the game, guys!

From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Here Comes Santa Claus...

Under dreary November skies thousands of people jammed the city for the 81st annual Milwaukee Holiday Parade as it weaved its way through downtown on Saturday morning.

According to the local forecast, the weather was supposed to hold steady at 40 degrees throughout the morning, but as we later found out, the blustery wind and constant sleet made it feel more like a frigid thirty. Needless to say, I was really glad I brought along my hat and mittens just in case!

With winter-like temperatures, parade-watchers huddled together under warm blankets and tried to keep toasty by sipping hot chocolate or coffee from local vendors. At the same time, others managed to ignore the cold and had a good time singing and dancing in the streets. I was among those in a huddle, but when I’d occasionally bounce to the beat of the marching bands, I actually felt a little warmer.

All in all, the weather wasn’t much of a deterrence or disappointment if you keep in mind that it was a holiday parade and the seasonable weather helped to welcome the festivities. Plus, we all know that by the time Christmas rolls around, the weather will become significantly colder – this is only the beginning! Regardless, the Holiday Parade went on to delight an estimated 50 to 100 thousand people, according to the Journal Sentinel, with over 2-dozen marching bands, a brigade of floats, Macy’s Parade-style helium balloons and, of course, Santa Claus himself.