10.29.11

$#@& World Series... I don't even want to talk about it...

Perfect for Halloween weekend...

But the real horror is yet to come...

History Lesson 5 of 10

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER- 7:11pm Thursday: Is this the beginning of a zombie outbreak in Waukesha?

Where do independents drink?

Should we start digging trenches?

Who is who? What is what? How is how? Why is why...

I think I will start my own horror filled Halloween party. Oh, it is only 7am...;)

10.28.11

HBR visited us yesterday, apparently she had a great vacation. That would explain why she is not on today's Freeman front page as in last two Fridays...

GE Energy fire call.

Museum exhibit extended.

History Lesson 4 of 10.

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER

Two weekends left for Farmer's Market!

Does it stay or does it go?

Wiggy has 700 club on his side... Occupy Milwaukee is tomorrow.

Not UFO if you see this down the road...

Somehow you would think APPLE's version of the future would be even more revolutionary and kool.

OOPS

Have a burger... but please do not eat the children.

10.27.11

Here comes the guns.

He could have won... Wiggy called him this.

I think I will dress up like a middle age Asian man.

I actually will be one of the volunteers behind the scene counting money.

Fence gets an Okay, and more...

History Lesson 3 of 10

Wiggy goes heavy handed...I don't, I am with the 99%. Watch this again... ;) OMG, I get it, Wiggy is doing a Sinead O'Connor... Very retro hip! ;) But this is the sad reality of the world. Where do you stand?

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER-An epic fail at 6:14pm.

Are you ready for Halloween and Haunted Houses? They weren't.

10.26.11

The vet said Ms. Kool's quick thinking likely saved Georgie the Whippet. She now provided us with rapid acting med just in case there is another bad night. Sooner or later we will find the right med dosage to keep his heart functioning correctly.

Great idea for small biz.

Kelly, our body piercing specialist told us about this because he is one of her son's teachers. Oh, definitely a heart scan for me when they have that holiday special.

Gregg's new Freeman column.

K Mart is closing and everything must go!

I think this is a much safer TIF bet than some other projects.

History Lesson 2 of 10

Last three days!

Darryl's column takes on a stinky issue.

SOUND OFF-Wow, are Scrima supporters missing Lori or what?

POLICE BLOTTER- "The man was advised not to sell drugs by the police." WHAT!?

10.25.11

Georgie the whippet is having another rough night, sorry for a short blog post.

History lesson 1 of 10

Still no resolution.

Art is a healing process, for the artist and the viewers...

Public comment... what happen to the proposed priority rule?

CRIME MAP

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER

Something for our postal workers... Do watch the video.

$250 an hour!? I am in the wrong line of business...

10.22.11

Today is Lynda's last day. Carrie, our new manager to be has been job shadowing her. Yesterday was also Lynda's daughter Danica's 18th birthday, she was very brave getting tattooed by Barry. Make sure you wish her happy birthday when you see her around Main Street. Do come in and wish Lynda good luck and meet Carrie. We will miss Lynda dearly but she will always be a part of WTC.

Nice front page photo, HBR! The downtown haunted house continues tonight. (Trust me, I have to watch out for the crazy hound Lilly everyday at home and I have scars to prove it...)

I also have to watch out for my crazy black cat Sammie, who is hungry all the time. Just the other day Ms. Kool said: "You know if you are dead in the house, this cat is going to eat you, right?" Sadly, I agree with her.

But this horror story of my own reaches yet another new height, I think my Siamese Tonie is humping my head at night when I am sleeping...I will spare you the little details.

Here comes the next City Hall drama. Expect people to buy the concept of the budget has 0% tax increase but with a fee is also unrealistic. I am surprised Wiggy has not called for the New Day fund to go back into the budget.

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER-Dude, where is my teeth!?

Here's Freeman's take on Mayor Scrima Fan club.

Tea Party candidate.

Yes, WackySha is back in full swing.

Breaking News!

Mayor Scrima and his fan club.

Deep Thought:

The old guy does not live in the city nor taxpayer...

UPDATE FROM PATCH.

10.21.11

Danny from Magellan and I were talking the other night and he has a great vision about the 453 Main property. With the West End apartment project and the goal to attract young professionals, it is only fitting for us to think about doing something fun and exciting to make far West End more of a destination. I am looking forward to have a mutually beneficial working relationship with Ken and his daughter. Is it gonna be another Flux Design project? Stay tuned. ;)

I like this part: A FEE IS A TAX, A TAX IS A FEE. Wiggy had a beer over it.

SOUND OFF- Isn't it curious that if you take the three stars out between some comments, it reads like continuous paragraphs of a scripted PR statement?

SWAT team had been busy lately...

New biz coming! I walked by Restyle Studio which is at the former Katydid's, it was open yesterday but the grand opening is today at noon!

POLICE BLOTTER

No career change for PBR.

Downtown haunted house starts today, I wonder if we can still get the tickets at pre-sale price?

I forgot, it is the end of the world today... What would be my perfect last meal? Might have to go back to my roots and go Chinese food...

10.20.11

Oh, the fear campaign continues... It went from celebrating 0% tax increase to if you don't do this, people will get hurt... Didn't we do this last year already about cutting bus services?

Wiggy pretty much nailed it. Team Lori is getting the last laugh.

Rising media star HBR reporting from Avalon. Rumor has it that she is still suffering greatly from the taser wound, I sure hope Freeman is giving her combat pay or something; it is only fair.

Exploring Fox River

Hey, the mayor gets the credit! ( Did West End Artist get a fruit basket?)

Talent wars in Waukesha Civic Theatre.

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER

Oh, just a friendly reminder. ( I like to thank everyone for reading this blog and spend the morning with me, just in case tomorrow is it.)

Mail Bag

"My issue is that the current rule on public comment: "City residents and taxpayers only" is NOT enforced.

We expect that people who neither live in the city nor pay city property taxes believe the rule is fair.

Either enforce the current rule or change the rule. - Tom"

10.19.11

I missed the West End Artist meeting because of the second interviews for shop manager, but I did hear some complaint about priority about public comment. The whole idea of only who lives on Main St. has the most weight in public debate is insulting to some merchants. I will just leave it at that so I won't be accused of being vengeful due to certain theft incident. Just a messenger.

The dawning of DRIVE FEE? I can write this SOUND OFF PR piece too, it will be encouraging people to walk or use bicycle, and it will be fair to the people who do not drive. Come to think of it, I have no kids so why am I paying for other kids to go to school? It is not fair! I don't use the library and too lazy to read, so give me money back there too... Pay as you go, it is the right thing to do! (Toll booth all over Waukesha and it creates jobs...) *Hint to the Scrima PR people, the script writing is too much like a script, any educated person can pick out that one is trying to create public opinion using the SOUND OFF, the same trick is getting old... This is the reality.

Now this is a legacy left behind.

...and who did it?

COSTCO is opening.

The Gas Station fight continues.

Darryl's column

POLICE BLOTTER

Gallery Night

10.18.11

"Not the children!"

New lights for Frame Park!

Zombie Walk-What needs to be mentioned is Rochester Deli's help with providing hot soup, cake and snacks. Special report from Brien.

Needless to say, this is going to be the start of a big firestorm with these comments... "I'm just sayin"...

SOUND OFF-I think I sure like to be seen as progressive by paying more out of my pocket... NOT! Just called it what it is, I am tired of all the B.S. justification.

POLICE BLOTTER 1, 2.-Sith lord sighted in Waukesha, what is the Jedi Council gonna do about it?

CRIME MAP

Something happened last night and these are the two tweets about it.

stratevantage Tracy Shilobrit

@

@WaukeshaPatch Must have been big ones - they shook our house on the other end of the subdivision (about 2 blocks away) and started a fire

@WaukeshaPatchWaukesha Patch

The explosions heard tonight in #Waukesha were from fireworks, according to the police department

This is what Freeman said.

Zombie Walk Live Update

Rochester Deli is providing the goodies, including the Zombie Cake with eye balls and fingers.... Big hit with little zombies...

10.15.11

Crazy busy day today... Ms. Kool is going to the GPA greyhound gala at the Waukesha Expo, we are hosting the base camp for Waukesha Zombie Walk in front of the shop. I would still like to stop by Whale Tale for this before work...

Royal wedding is also today, congrats to Ryan and Aimee!

Gregg finds a new gig.

This is how you make a newspaper media star...

History Lesson on Weber Beer coming!

Zombie Walk preview.

Can't comment much due to ongoing legal actions but here it is.

Action packed for sure...

Up and Down Boardway

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SOUND OFF-Here comes the Mayoral PR machine. I own a business and a residential house in Waukesha. I would rather see the garbage portion of tax removed/refunded/credited from my commercial building tax as a solution. Highlighting the 0% tax hike while adding a fee, then said it is for the fairness to certain interest is just less than genuine. You want money, we get it, but we are not stupid. When you get less service with less pick up frequency and strict rules with your tax money before and now you have to pay more on top of it for a lesser service while being told it is better and more fair, people are not going to forget it. JMHO

POLICE BLOTTER

10.14.11

Here is the much hyped HBR vs. Taser video. I must say I am pretty impressed that she took it like a champ... I doubt I will be willingly getting zapped... Here is the "Dirty Harry" PBR vs. Taser video, and how about Alderman Chris Hernandez, he did not even go down...

By the way, now the League of Husbands understand why Mr. HBR buys lots of flowers, paid for her shopping trip at Michigan Ave-Chicago and rumored to be sobbing in the bathroom at times. HBR looks just a little too comfortable with that gun... We support you, bro. ;)

How is Mayor Scrima gonna use his die hard supporters to speak for him? It is a part of his tried and true PR strategy. I am just calling it as I see it. No offense to the mayor.

This is what you do with your leaves...

Might as well accept that the tax shell game is gonna be there.

SOUND OFF-People are mad...

POLICE BLOTTER

There were words of an Anti-Walker protest in downtown Waukesha, nothing in the media but we did have some protesters I know coming in from the rain. No, not Wiggy.

2-2! Home field advantage reclaimed! See you at Miller Park Sunday!

By the way, my reaction to this tweet:

Allochocolat Allô! Chocolat

@

@scpryor congrats Sarah! Nice job!! Great video. George's turn!@KOOLFOOLTATTOO HBR gets to pull the trigger!

West End Parking Plan

Mayor Scrima showed us the proposed plan tonight. The missing 41 required additional parking spot fr the apartment project will be across river at the Waukesha State Bank lot and they have a year to year lease on that.

From Maple to end of Main going west on the north side of the street will be angle parking in the plan. It adds up to be 21 parking spots. One neighbor's concern is the amount of driveways in the West End, and I voiced my concern of people making U-turns and people flying around the corner from West Ave.

In theory, the angle parking will slow the traffic down, but most of us who live or work there thinks there will be accidents...

Ken also told me that at this point, there will be no retail in the apartment project, nothing changed since the last planning commission meeting.

The next step is the safety study and I do hope they realize our concerns.

To build a parking structure at the building next to Veterans' Park is shut down because the asking price is too high.

Stay tuned.

10.13.11

I went over by Larry next door to check out the big sale. I walked away with a bunch of carpet mats. There are still a lot of carpet to be had...

Tonight is the West End apartment meeting regarding parking at the City Hall... It should be interesting. Merchants at Five Point should pay some attention to this because it will affect the whole street and FFNL.

Because of a meeting I missed most of the Brewers game, but at least it was a close one... We just have to put our faith in Wolf with a lifetime post season ERA of 9.00, I know it is an uneasy feeling...

The big news at Waukesha is now Wiggy vs. Scrima over the garbage tax-I-mean-fee.

Woodman's cleared another hurdle. Come on, IKEA, are you watching this?

Coffee with heart... Way to go, Kerry.

Waukesha Reads 1, 2.

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER

We are getting closer to the big HBR taser story... Perhaps she will sign copies of Freeman at a local coffee shop after this. Yes, take one for the team and sell more papers...

10.12.11

I was only at WDBA meeting briefly but the Six Feet Under haunted house has flyers now, make sure you pick one up at the shop... Kerry from Steaming Cup also kindly printed up some Zombie Walk posters, that is this Saturday, make sure you come join the crazies.

Dan from People's Park said the reopening is targeting around Thanksgiving, and you know when it opens, it will be like an early Christmas gift for downtown Waukesha.

Shop Manager search is ongoing and I called and talked to all the applicants yesterday. It should be an interesting interview process... It is not easy to do every time we had to do this, but I do think we are getting a little better and efficient at it.

This garbage thing is gonna be an issue for Mayor Scrima...

Just read some of these Letters to Editor and SOUND OFF, it does make sense it is a higher % tax-but-we-are-not-calling-it-a-tax burden for people with lesser properties. Barry, who is living in the city now, is not impressed with the new garbage policy and the proposed fine if one does not follow it.

POLICE BLOTTER

Darryl's column. I think the 4-4 vote pretty much killed any talk of moving part of the structure downtown.

More drama ahead...

"Let's get some money from dead people!"

Bob is in the paper!

People sure drive into the river a lot...

We are top 100!

My apology to Key Westconsin, they now deliver lunch!

The big West End sale starts today!

10.11.11

I am still trying to get over the terrible game at Miller Park last night. It is sad when the only realistic chance of a comeback was putting in Aaron Rodger whom was in full Braun uniform.

The manager search is going well, there are 7-8 resume already and I will be calling each one of them starting today.

Wiggy and Mayor Scrima are on! Even other blogger joined in. My question is, if it is unfair to Condo and Commercial property owners if we double pay, why not just refund the tax while the tax still cover the basic city garbage service?

HBR taser day coming! We need big color photo on the front page for this event! ( Perhaps a few more copies of Freeman for her to sign are needed...)

Carroll's water documentary.

Carroll Homecoming.

Welcome to West End!

Diva Day... Sorry we missed it.

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER

:(

Yes, there is a post on Waukesha Tattoo FB site:

Do you or someone you know have office experience, the ability to interact with a variety of people, and availability during weekends? We are currently accepting resumes for a full time shop manager through Friday, October 14th. We are searching for the smoothest transition possible as Lynda regretfully leaves for a new opportunity. Please forward resume information & inquiries to info@waukeshatattoo.com.

Lynda is going back to the corporate world and she will be successful wherever she goes. It is their gain, our loss. ( We were still crying yet...)

We are looking for the right person to join our team to represent us for the tattoo shop AND the gallery. Assertiveness, skill/room to learn, and good chi are everything in my book...

10.8.11

No Freeman links today because it kept on loading yesterday's paper. I guess if you want news, you do have to buy paper today... I will have a copy delivered at the shop.

Cards won, it means at least for NLCS, my schedule interruption is minimal with home games on Sundays and Mondays. With so much bad blood between two teams, expect a few "just a bit inside" pitches and maybe a brawl or two. It also means I can't be there for Diva Day to have the gallery open... Sorry ladies.

Moose sighted in Wisconsin...

No tax increase but a fee? What if we already have our own dumpster instead of using the city service?

Sorry for a short blog today. It is Carroll U. Homecoming and there is an art opening I need to attend before work.

UPDATE: Freeman came through at 8am, now all HBR's hard work will be at least shown here... ;)

No tax hike, said the mayor. What about the garbage fee?

Big week for meetings.

Crime Map

United We Dine

Alderman Paulson on YMCA and the gas station.

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER

What a game!

I am glad I did not miss this game. It was seriously a heart stress test all game. Yo did not have his best stuff but he battled all game. Saito did a good job as usual, and K-Rod loaded the base with Roberts coming up just for some drama.

When Ax Man blew the save, the whole stadium just cheered him on to contain the damage, he settled down and did so.

When Gomez got on, everyone knew he can be the game changer. T Plush delivered the winning hit and Miller Park went nuts. It was historical and we were lucky to be there to see this tonight and the night they clinched. John Rat's Beast Mode tee seems to be the lucky wear, and I will be wearing that again!

Now my work schedule will have to be a little more flexible with the coming championship games... Sorry, my customers...

10.7.11

Number one news today is still the game 5! I am nervous and freaking out!

Tigers advances to play the Rangers.

The mystery artist? Of course I know who PPV is... NOT! (I wonder if one of the Ps is "Purple". PP? People's Park?)

BIG SALE at the West End.

HBR/PBR Taser fight is next week!

Greed is good?

Live coverage of the other lesser known movement.

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER

Star Trek trivia...

From Mr. Fix-It.

Are you next?

Mr. Otto to Ruby. (No matter what, they are a lovely couple. Congrats if it is needed.^^)

P.S. How come this did not make it into the blotter? It is gold!

MBJunction Jenn Collins

Strangest thing seen while #running today: naked man butt, lying on the sidewalk. Hairy, naked man butt. Ick.

Going for it!

I rescheduled all my tattoo appointments, Game 5 is not to be missed.

I think after being a season ticket holder since 1993, I hope my customers will understand.

Nervous? You bet I am...

This is what I will be wearing, courtesy of John Rat. ( Want to buy one? Email him at John@Johnrat.com )

10.6.11

It comes down to Yo and home field advantage... Too close for comfort for me, but that is why October baseball is so intense.

There is another meeting for the West End apartment project next week, and this time it will be about parking. I hope the mayor would lay his cards on the table this time and avoid any "Done Deal" feeling for some of us. Parking across the river is not a realistic option, and if West End gets filled up with cars from the tenants and their friends, it will impact the rest of the downtown. 41 cars are a lot of cars, it will take more than 3 of our parking lot for that. Currently for any FFNL events, every parking spots out there are taken, now what will happen when either the tenants can't park when they come home or visitors can't park because the tenants are there? It will highlight the downtown parking woe, and wishful thinking is not going to cut it.

Another question is that what is preventing this project from becoming a government subsidized housing instead of what it intends to attract? What if that is what the market force dictates? Ken might be better off working with Carroll U. and have some of these units as dorm option for upper class students but then you still need more amenities and parking.

Some thoughts on bringing this building to Main St. but it seems to be more trouble than what it is worth...

For some, he is a religious figure.

Oops.

Parking shuttles for downtown?

Diva Day...

Don't forget the Joke Shop!

Wiggy, we all wanted the best for Downtown Waukesha and it was just not meant to be.

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER

From Three Sisters'

The move is complete and we're open for business...

... at 914 Clinton St. (between Madison and Main Sts.)

The Store is stocked with many of your old favorites and lots of new merchandise! We can't wait for you to come see us in our new location and help us celebrate our GRAND RE-OPENING this Sunday, October 9th from Noon to 4:00 pm!!

Cake & Champagne!! Prize Drawings!! Party Favors!!

Sunday is also "DIVA DAY" in downtown Waukesha and we couldn't think of a better day to hold our celebration or theme for our Grand Re-Opening!! The Fairy Godmothers, Widdershins and Deosil will be here for gypsy palm reading and tarot as well as waving their magic wands and flinging plenty of sassy & "diva-licious" fairy dust across the room!!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS and join us this SUNDAY, OCT. 9th!!

10.5.11

Woodman's and rezoning.

No comment for my foolish part in all of this due to ongoing legal actions, but this is just the tip of the iceberg...

Carroll Homecoming activities!

Friday Night is Stayin' Alive! (Yes, I am a Bee Gees fan and I am not going to apologize for it. Bonus track 1 and 2)

( You know you are studying this video in a Napoleon Dynamite way...)

Darryl's column

SOUND OFF

There is hope for the rumored check cashing bar project at the West End! Young professionals will likely demand such a store...;) All joking aside, there were a lot of traffic at the Sunset one I observed and people were waiting outside for the door to be opened.

POLICE BLOTTER

Brien and his iron butt.

Moxie's is rumored to be building a float for the parade...

Bodway's is closed until Friday due to refinishing of the floor; our piercer Kelly was very disappointed last night because she was craving for a Bodway burger since Sunday. We had Golden Chicken in the shop instead... There is also a rumor that this is the weekend Tony and Monica are getting married, no confirmation yet but if it is, congrats!

Ms. Kool is convinced that I jinxed the Brewers, but I did not serve up the meatball with the bases loaded!

OMG.

10.4.11

Welcome to the social media age, when people are so used to say whatever they want and think very little of consequences... Some are very entertaining, yet some are very scripted. You can tell the pros from the real "public".

Freeman confirms it. A lot of undercurrent on this one, and the story is so big and unbelievable that no one can really tell it fully. Perhaps one day truth will be out with all the coming legal proceedings.

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER

Diva Day is coming... Not sure what our plan is yet. We are in the raffle and the gallery might be open but it depends on the Brewers playoff schedule... We should know more in a few days.

Georgie the Whippet is home and he is so tired. He fell asleep in my arm and had been sleeping a lot only with pee breaks.

No one will feel too bad for them Yankees...

This is really interesting.

This is scary.

Sadly, we have 2 out of 11...

10.3.11

Georgie the whippet was rushed to emergency vet this morning by Ms. Kool, his heart condition is worse than the initial treatment. I went to see him during lunch and he curled up in my lap right away. He did manage to "shower" me with "affection" due to the diuretic med he is taking...

A lot of rumor is going on Main Street. The first is the new mysterious date of Mayor Scrima. He was seen with a brunette in Gen 5, gone was the mystery blonde. We will know more when the Royal Wedding comes around...

The other was the lock down at the Clarke Hotel. Some said the first level is going through a two month remodeling, but from the look of it, D Mo's is no more. Once again, despite the constant rumor, I am not the new owner of the place in any way, shape, or form. I am hoping I can work with the new owner and Clarke Hotel to bring more art into it in the future...

No more words on the West End apartment project revision, but if retail is going in, Mr. Bodway has expressed interest in leasing one of the store fronts, so you know.

Art Crawl was a success, and Magellan's did a great job with pizza and beer. For a busy sports night, we had a lot of visitors. I am very happy that we have another catering option now after the demise of D Mo's Pita and Pan.

It is October, I hope there will be more clarity on Main Street on all the ups and downs. We need People's Park to come back soon!

10.1.11

I did not get a chance to see how busy the last FFNL of the season was, but I did hear HBR was interviewing people on the street on her fancy high heels and turning heads... We don't call her Hot Blonde Reporter for no reason.

Tony Bodway from Bodway's informed me that today is their one year anniversary, I think he had done very well for the West End. We are looking forward to the proposed expansion. Rock the West End! Congrats!

I had some food at J Lotti's and the service was super fast for what I ordered. They do have pumpkin beer and Rumchata there so you know. (The baked fish was very tasty, thanks!)

There is a rumor that Ken of Kendall Lofts is going back to the drawing board to include some retail and cut back some units. I sure hope that is true. We need to turn West End into a destination, not an after thought or parking lot for the rest of Main Street. Ken did say they wanted a restaurant on the first floor initially and I hope they are using my roof top retail overlooking the river idea, or taking into consideration of other valuable comments on how to attract young professionals. Amenities are needed in the West End and young professionals will demand more. What we had found is anything brings more foot traffic to the far West End helps everyone. If there is a reason for people to go to the apartment complex to eat and/or shop, it can showcase the place and likely attract more renters. It is also up to the city to solve that potential parking issue if they truly want this project to work.

This is a big turn of events. Wiggy has a point.

What is coming next week.

Crime map

Does the machine charge you to roll? It does seem kinda heavy handed.

SOUND OFF

POLICE BLOTTER

I will miss the game today but it will be on TV while I work. GO BREWERS!

Oh, come down to see Destruction of Innocence tonight for the Art Crawl!