Play in the City

The Wehr Nature Center

One of my favorite things in life besides the first bite of a perfect burger is the first taste of summer weather.

That’s why when I woke up to a gorgeous 70-degree day I couldn’t wait to get outside. After a few quick errands, Eric and I made our way to Whitnall Park and to the Wehr Nature Center to explore the 200 acres of southeastern Wisconsin’s natural best.

We zigzagged around passing kids playing on the playground, folks walking their dogs, and families bicycling along the paths until we finally found the Wehr Nature Center. Then, we parked and headed inside to the Visitors Center where we paid $3 for parking, which was reasonable considering admission is free.

At the Wehr Nature Center, you have the option of taking a self-guided tour or participating in one of Wehr’s many programs led by their knowledgeable staff of naturalists. Eric and I opted for the self-guided tour and grabbed a trail map from the reception desk on our way out.

Besides the map, there are wooden posts that act as landmarks along the trails and are labeled with a graphic – a tree, cattail, footprint, and so on – that represent each individual trail loop. Also found throughout the area are signs that help explain each habitat and what flora and fauna are found there.

The Wehr Nature Center has over  five miles of trail loops. Each loop ranges from 0.5 to 1.7 miles and takes visitors through natural environments such as an undulating prairie and an expansive savanna, and vast woodlands and lush wetlands.

When we stepped out of the Visitors Center and onto the trails, I deeply inhaled the faint smells of summer and I could feel the warmth fill my lungs. Without further delay, Eric and I began our hike along the Wetland Loop. This trail took us through a variety of swampy habitats – lowland forest, wetland underbrush and sedge meadow – and down two wooden piers and a bird blind where we paused to watch a gaggle of mallards bob in the lake and paddle after their afternoon snack.

Next, we followed the woodchip path as it led us beneath rainbow canopies of blossoming trees, and through colorful Monet-esque landscapes and canvases of sprawling wildflowers. I’m not going to lie, I literally stopped to inhale the fragrance of each periwinkle Trillium and every Jack-in-the-pulpit that decorated the verdant terrain. Being cooped up all winter, I almost forgot how fresh air smells and what it’s like to get outside and be fully surrounded by nature.

Now That’s Service!

I’ve always heard that Midwesterners are supposedly the friendliest bunch of people in the United States. Today, I could see why.

Something happened on my way home that had a tremendous effect on my day, although it might have had this extraordinary effect simply because I was in a “mood” for most of the day, but nevertheless, it made me realize why I love Milwaukee and the Midwest in general.

I stopped at the Starbucks on the corner of Oklahoma and Kinnickinnic Avenues in Milwaukee because I was in desperate need of a caffeine injection. I must explain that I normally try to avoid Starbucks because I prefer to support smaller chains or local, independent coffee shops. Unfortunately though, my options were scanty, so I had to decide whether or not to continue searching for that indie hub and fall asleep at the wheel or stop at the Starbucks. Needless to say, my arm didn’t have to endure much twisting. In the end, it was a great decision since that particular Starbucks not only completely impressed me, but it brightened my day.

One of my biggest pet peeves is customer service, or lack thereof. If you work in the service industry, I expect you to treat me kindly and attentively; after all, that’s part of your job, isn’t it? With that being said, on the rare occasion that I venture inside a Starbucks, I always leave the coffee shop happy with my experience.

This satisfaction is probably due to the fact that there always seems to be a pleasant air to the place. Starbucks employees are always smiling and chatting enthusiastically while they put your order on the cup and syrup in it and as they take your money and make your change. While it’s never a really thrilling or even optimistic conversation, it’s always filled with sincere smiles. So, it’s no wonder why each patron walks away with a smile or at least a hint of one, a curled lip at the very least.

I pulled up to the drive-through and was glad to see that there was only one car ahead of me. After only about one minute, it was my turn to order. I was warmly greeted by a woman’s voice over the speaker. Her tone was so chipper that I could tell she was smiling on the other end. I cleared my throat and ordered one tall Americano and one grande green tea latte (for Eric). The woman repeated my order and told me the price, and then I inched forward. After a five minute wait, I finally pulled up to the window and was welcomed with the same smile I heard over the speaker. The rest of our exchange went as follows:

Starbucks Girl: “You had the tall Americano and grande green tea latte?”
Me: “Yep, that’s me.”
SBG: “We are really sorry about the wait.”
Me: “That’s okay.”
SBG: “Your drinks are on the house.”
Me: “Really?”
SBG: “And we are going to give you this voucher for two drinks so that your coffees are on us next time too!”
Me: “Oh wow. That’s great! Thanks!”
SBG: “No problem, it’s the least we can do. Have a great night!”

I was only waiting for a mere five minutes, if that, and I got four complimentary drinks! In the past, I’ve waiting hours for dinner at a restaurant and never even received an apology and certainly never a free meal.

Even though the drive-through is a little less interactive – I didn’t really mind that today – you’re still treated with the same service. Such service is quite remarkable considering those people working at Starbucks probably have dealt with plenty of sleep deprived people all day, yet they never break a smile, never slow down, and never try to rush you out so that they can get to the next customer. Clearly, Starbucks has their customer service down pat, which begs the question: Is it actually possible to run a timely and efficient business AND be totally friendly at the same time? Apparently so.

Now, would this concept of a friendly, efficient service be lost in a bigger city like New York City or L.A. or is it every Starbucks’ policy and not solely a Midwest characteristic?

I’m almost positive that when I was visiting NYC and ordering a tall nonfat caramel macchiato each morning, I didn’t get a smile and I wasn’t asked about my day, I was more or less shoved out of the place. Granted, there are places in Milwaukee that don’t demonstrate the concept of good service, still I’m willing to wager that my experience at this particular Starbucks had a lot to do with its location and less about the coffee chain’s philosophy.

At any rate, I suppose I could use this situation as some exaggerated effort to call this an example that teaches a moral lesson about Milwaukee and how great it is, but I won’t. Instead, I’m simply going to enjoy my complimentary coffee...maybe even with a smile.

An Ultimatum

Dear Bill Hall,

My friends are beginning to tease me about wearing your number. It hurts. So, you better start batting over 300, heck, I'll even say 200, or else I'm going to start cheering for pretty boy J.J. Hardy like all of the other 20-year-old women!

Also, in case you haven't heard, your buddy Braun just signed an eight-year, $45 million contract with the Brewers. How does that make you feel? If you don't step-up, you'll soon be licking his cleats. Just saying.

Sincerely,
Your Biggest Fan

Prom the Second Time Around

For many, prom was the highlight of their high school career; on the other hand, there were people like me who’d rather be trampled by a stampede of wild boars than attend a school dance.

I actually broke down and went to my junior prom, though. My mom was a volunteer on the prom committee, therefore I felt obligated to go. Since I couldn’t find a date, my friend Amy set me up with her boyfriend’s friend who was a senior at another high school. So, for the first time ever I had a date to a dance, a date whose last name I still don't know. Whatever. It's not like we were getting married...

Despite being reluctant to go to the dance, I had fun shopping for my dress and getting my hair done. The dance, however, turned out to be a catastrophe. Sure, the food was tasty and the hall was beautifully decorated – the theme was “Secret Garden” – and busting a move with my friends certainly was a blast. But, my fun quickly fizzled when my jerk of a date ditched me to go to a house party.

As a result, I spent half the dance trying to find him and the remainder of the night in a state of bewilderment. I was actually abandoned. How humiliating! My “date” got a free ticket to the dance, a free limo ride and a free dinner all on my dime... and I never saw him again. The funny part is that I didn't even want to go in the first place. *Sigh* Needless to say, I refused to attend another school dance.

Regardless of your prom experience, whether you were a wall flower all night or stole the spotlight on the dance floor, I’m sure it was an evening you’ll never forget. That’s why Milwaukee Recreation is inviting adults to take a trip back to that special (or embarrassing) high school moment by attending a second prom.

This is the Milwaukee Recreation Department’s first Second Prom. The formal dance will be held this Saturday, May 17 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Beulah Brinton Community Center in Bay View. The fee is $9.50 for Milwaukee residents and $14.25 for non-residents, which is a lot cheaper than I remember paying in high school.

MPS Assistant Recreation Supervisor Joel Symons describes Second Prom as a “tongue-in-cheek send-up of a traditional high school prom.” Apparently, they aren’t taking the event too seriously. In fact, organizers are encouraging adult prom-goers to relive the whole experience by renting a limo, showing up in off-the-wall prom attire (like a baby blue leisure suit), and then dancing the night away to live bands playing hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Also, if you work up an appetite from cutting a rug, punch and cake will be on hand. But remember, just like your high school prom, alcohol is not permitted.

So, bring your sense of humor and your old-school dancing shoes for a night of new, happy memories. To register for Milwaukee Recreation’s Second Prom head over here or call the “Prom King” at (414) 475-8538.

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Milwaukee Recreation's Second Prom
Beulah Brinton Community Center
2555 S. Bay Street
Milwaukee, WI 53207
Saturday, May 17 from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.
$9.50 for Milwaukee residents, $14.25 for non-residents

A Musical Snack

I’ve been in a funky mood for the last few days and when I have such a wry disposition, I seek solace in music.

While I was driving back from the gym on my lunch break, I thought, “I could really use some José González.” There’s just something about that Swede’s sweet, sweet acoustic hums that can ease the doldrums.

So, I turned on the radio and tuned into 88.9 Radio Milwaukee, a non-commercial station that’s unlike any other found in Milwaukee, because they actually play José González.

On a side note, I stumbled upon Radio Milwaukee last spring and was drawn to the station’s new approach to radio. The DJs dapple in every genre of music – you’ll hear everything from B.B. King and Patti Smith to Son Volt and Jurassic 5 – and they play deeper cuts that go beyond the same ol’ music that has been regurgitated on mainstream radio for decades. Thus, I knew that Radio Milwaukee would provide the perfect remedy to cheer me up.

And what do you know? I was right.

After a song by The Lemonheads, there it was streaming from my radio: “Killing for Love” by José González, one of my favorite tracks off his newest album In Our Nature. I think Scott Mullins read my mind!

Thank you, Radio Milwaukee, for making my day!

Along the Oak Leaf Trail

So, I might have been a little over-ambitious about the whole Bike to Work Week (BTWW) thing.

To be honest, I probably won’t be able to bike to work. You see, it takes about a half hour to get to my office in Franklin via car along the speedy interstate, so I’d have to roll out of bed at the butt crack of dawn just to make it to work on time. It’s. Not. Going. To. Happen.

Now, I feel like I'm a pharisee.

But, just because I probably won’t partake in BTWW, that doesn’t mean I’m not going to take my bicycle out for a ride a few times this week to commemorate the movement. Plus, it’ll make me feel like less of a hypocrite.

For those of you in the same boat, you shouldn’t feel like you can’t participate in this week’s event either, after all, BTWW conveniently falls into National Bike Month. Thus, with summer fast slowly approaching, there’s ample time to take your bike for a leisurely spin around Milwaukee.

So, even if you won’t be peddling to work, why not keep your car in the lot and ride your bike this week to school, the store, or along the trails? You can also try some of the League of American Bicyclists’ ideas. Here’s their list of suggestions.

Last night, in honor of National Bike Month, I escaped to the Oak Leaf Trail, a hidden treasure for local bike-oholics. Throughout Milwaukee there’s a plethora of terrific bike trails that offer a great alternative to sightseeing, as well as, the opportunity to view the city from a different perspective. The best parts, of course, are the off-road paths, which are surrounded by trees and seem entirely un-urban.

I’ve always been drawn to the rustic beauty of such remote trails where in the summertime you’re cooled by the shade of maple trees, and with each mile you transcend, you are warmly greeted by dozens of passing inline skaters, joggers, walkers, and fellow bikers who are all leaving the bustle of everyday life to exercise or find tranquility in Mother Nature’s splendor.

The Oak Leaf Trail, in particular, features over 100 miles of multiple loops through all of the major parkways and parks that are the framework of the Milwaukee County Park System. The loops are composed of paved off-road trails, park drives and regular municipal streets – you can ride north to Brown Deer, west to 124th Street, south to Ryan Road, and east to Lake Michigan.

'Iron Man' at the Rosebud Cinema

Saturday night was damp and chilly and after a late night on Friday, all I wanted to do was curl up on the couch and watch a movie with my honey.

Eric, however, had been dying to see Iron Man since it came out last weekend and wanted to watch it on the big screen at the cinema. We made a compromise and decided to see Iron Man at the Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse because this way we both got what we wanted: Eric got to see his movie of choice and I got to sprawl out on the sofa. It was perfect.

The Rosebud Cinema is a charming single-screen movie theater located in the heart of Wauwatosa. When we walked through the entrance and into the foyer, it was like taking a step back in time to when such neighborhood theaters flourished. The theater was built in the 1930s, and in 1999 it was gutted and reopened. The Rosebud's oriental style and upscale décor was warm and inviting and after the building was revitalized almost ten years ago, an emphasis was not only placed on preserving its history but on comfort as well.

The spacious theater was arranged to look like a living room space, well, more specifically, it looked like Elvis’ living room. The theater boasts stadium-style seating that’s furnished with red and black plush love seats and velvet coaches in lieu of conventional chairs. Each seat has access to either an end table or a coffee table where you’re able to place your food, which is a lot more accommodating than having to hold your munchies on top of your lap during the movie.

The theater itself is small – it only seats about 240 people – but what it lacks in seating capacity it makes up for with coziness and style. My favorite feature is the intimate seating, which makes you feel like you’re watching a movie in the comfort of your own home. And just like at home, you’re able to enjoy a relaxed dinner at your sofa if you wish.

After the theater’s face-lift, it now has a rather extensive menu that offers traditional snacks like popcorn, candy and soda, but also includes thin crust pizza, sandwiches, pints of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, and comfort foods like chicken tenders, corn dogs, French fries and soft pretzels. The menu also provides a long list of libations including micro brews such as Lakefront Brewery’s Cattail and the Milwaukee Ale House’s Louie’s Demise, and about a half-dozen of select house wines, as well as, a variety of hard alcohols for various mixed drinks.

National Bike to Work Week

On my way to work this morning, I pulled up to the gas pump near my apartment and as I filled my car with unleaded fuel at $3.89 per gallon, my wallet swelled up and burst into tears.

Okay, okay, that’s obviously an absurd exaggeration, but I did overhear the grumbling of fellow commuters who were reluctantly burning holes into their pocketbooks as they filled their cars with unreasonably priced gasoline.

Milwaukee gas prices are at an all time high – it seems as though we’ve been saying this for the past few years, huh? But, given that gas prices are predicted to exceed $4 per gallon and we’re already on the brink of four bucks around here, it doesn’t seem like we’ll be cut any slack anytime soon. So, do we grin and bare it? Of course not. We’ll just have to find another means to get from place to place.

For instance, as part of National Bike Month, Milwaukee and the rest of the country will be celebrating National Bike to Work Week (BTWW). From Monday, May 12 to Friday, May 16, the League of American Bicyclists encourages both first time commuters and experienced road warriors to consider biking as an alternative to driving to work. After paying an arm and a leg for gas this morning, this event definitely motivates me to bike instead of drive.

Many people are catching onto this movement too. Last year, hordes of commuters biked to work with their ties flapping in the wind, briefcases strapped onto the rear of their bicycles, and a helmet safely secured on top of their heads. I actually saw one woman in stiletto heals peddling along Wisconsin Avenue probably on her way home from the office. Now, that’s dedication!

Evidently, BTWW has quickly turned into one of the fastest growing movements in the country. Young and old alike have started to participate in the annual week-long bicycling commute as it has become a great incentive to get people to bike to work who normally wouldn't or who don't realize the benefits bicycling has over driving.

Stamp Out Hunger, Milwaukee!

I just finished rummaging through my cupboards for food like rice, spaghetti, granola bars and canned fruits to donate to the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

This Saturday, it’s reported that more than 3,000 letter carriers from over 200 post offices across Wisconsin will hit the streets to collect food that locals will leave beside their mailboxes.

With prices for basic food items skyrocketing, many families are struggling to put a decent meal on the table. The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive will provide Hunger Task Force with food that they’ll deliver to the hungry and the charities and pantries that feed them.

This year’s food drive is more important than ever. For the first time since 1997, shortages in food supplies from the United States Department of Agriculture are having a direct effect on the amount and types of food a pantry can provide to the poor.

Therefore, Hunger Task Force is emphasizing the need for nutritious snack donations, items including juice boxes, name-brand cereal, fat-free pudding cups, and canned fruits and veggies – Ixnay on the mounds of Ramen 'cause that isn't very healthy, people.

According to Hunger Task Force, last year during the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, 637,000 pounds of food were collected just in Milwaukee County.

So, search your cupboards, cabinets and pantries, maybe donate those canned peas that you know you’re not going to eat, set a bag of goodies by your mailbox, and help stamp out hunger this Saturday!

Secret Labs TV Show - Live Taping

One of Play in the City’s most loyal readers told me about a unique experience and I wanted to share it with y'all.

In case you missed the casting call for Public Enemies two months ago, you might want to consider showing up at Discovery World this Saturday from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. to be a part of another exciting taping.

On Saturday night, folks from Milwaukee Public Television will be filming the pilot episode of Secret Labs, a TV show cultivating technology, science, and creativity through humor. I'm guessing that the show's tone will be somewhat like MythBusters and Dirty Jobs, which I love, then again, I’m a bit of a geek.

Adults will have the opportunity to watch the pilot episode taped live with chances to be an extra in the show, participate in audience improv games, and play a role as the "collective audience" while reading from teleprompters and talking to characters in real-time.

According to Discovery World’s website, the pilot episode features filming locations that are deep beneath the streets of Milwaukee, on top of the Gas Light Building and on a pseudo orbital platform. Genetics specialist Tom Zinnen will demonstrate such things as DNA extraction while Secret Labs characters will be introduced through a series of underground labs.

This live show is for people ages 16 or older – sorry kids! Tickets cost $10 for Discovery World and MPTV members and students, and $15 for general admission. Oh, and make sure you get there early to secure your spot!

The edited broadcast show is scheduled to air on MPTV in fall 2008, so stay tuned!

For more information simply head over here or call 414-765-8625. It sounds like it’ll be a blast!

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Secret Labs - Live Taping
Discovery World
500 North Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Saturday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
$10 Discovery World and MPTV members, $15 general admission
Ages 16 + only