SPRING (TRAINING) FEVER

Dear Reader --

Tamra Reynolds, the Brewer Babe, has been burning up the telephone lines to get the latest information on our Major League baseball franchise in advance of Thursday's exhibition game opener.
We'll let her cover the milwaukeeworld posting duties today, since your Editor / Publisher is inextricably tangled in Mardi Gras beads as he prepares for a final fling before purifying his soul in the ashen cauldron of Lenten self-abnegation.

Laissez les bons temps roulez!

Michael Horne
Editor / Publisher
1 414 978-8039


BREWER BABE : 34 DAYS TO GO!
By Tamra Reynolds

Hello again, Brewer fans! Well, spring training is well under way and we have a mere 34 days to go until the start of the most anticipated Brewer season in over a decade. I don’t know about you, but I’m excited, and have been counting the days all winter!

Reports from spring training have been trickling in and here’s what we know so far. All players on the 40-man roster have been signed for the upcoming season except for Bill Hall. The rumor there is that a deal is in the works to offer Hall a multi-year contract, which would keep this great player in our stable, as well as buy out his first couple of years of arbitration eligibility. Also in the works is a contract extension for Derrick Turnbow, which would accomplish the same two goals.

Brady Clark hasn’t slacked off at all after his breakthrough season last year, as some expected him to do. It was reported in the Journal Sentinel this morning, Tuesday, that Brady remains the first person on the field in the morning, and the last to leave in the evenings, frequently taking extra batting practice. It seems Brady is determined to not experience that “sophomore slump” that derailed Scott Podsednick, whom Brady replaced as lead off batter. Yes it’s true this won’t actually be Brady’s sophomore season, it is his second season as an everyday player.

Dale Sveum and Rickie Weeks seem to think they’ve ironed out the wrinkles in Rickie’s defense at second. After watching some tapes of Rickie last season, Sveum zeroed in on what he thought was the problem area. It seems Rickie’s positioning at second was off just a bit, so by playing more to his right, Rickie should be able to get some more fluidity to his movements and get off quicker throws. It appears Rickie’s injured thumb was partly to blame for his team-high number of errors last season, and since his surgery, it looks as though he will be a little less sieve-like this season.

Prince Fielder reported to camp a few pounds lighter last week. Could this be an effort to maximize the agility and quick reflexes that he will need to successfully replace Lyle Overbay at first base? Heaven knows the last thing we need is another 20-error season out of one of our everyday players, even if he is still classified as a rookie. Also up in the air is how Fielder will handle Capuano’s wicked pickoff. Overbay has said that he always sensed when Cappy would attempt a pickoff, and was therefore always ready for it. Let’s hope that Fielder can develop that same sixth sense and work as well with Cappy as Overbay did.

Speaking of Capuano, he is expected to start in the Brewer’s first exhibition game Thursday against San Francisco. Chris took a shot to his left hand while practicing bunts last Sunday. Luckily, he was unhurt and returned to the plate to finish up his practice. That’s one player we cannot afford to lose. Chris is one of the better hitting pitchers on the Brewer staff, and we’re looking to him to get 20 wins this season.

On the subject of wins, the Brew Crew’s fearless leader Ned Yost has set a goal of 1 ½ to 2 extra wins per month this season, to reach a 90-93 win season. Based on the numbers from the 2005 season, 90-93 wins would put them in the thick of the wild card race. Ned and his players alike are determined to play into October this year. Going into this season, the Brewers are being viewed by many sports writers as the “sleeper team” to watch going into the playoffs. Well I say wake up! With the group we have assembled this season, we’re not just possible contenders, this team could go all the way to the playoffs.

Ned Yost, for one, is determined to get this team there under his tutelage. He discussed his position as manager after receiving his contract extension on Saturday. "I never took this job to get another job," he recently told Drew Olson, of the Journal Sentinel. "I took this job to come over here and help turn this organization around and win a world championship. Until that feat is accomplished, I'm not going to be happy. When I said three years ago that I want to be the Brewers' manager, I wasn't lying. I love Milwaukee. I love these kids. I love this team. I love Miller Park.” Well we love you too Ned, and I, for one, am thrilled that we’re going to have you for another 2-3 years.

Geoff Jenkins seems to believe in the possibility of October as well. Jenkins is viewed as the team leader, being the veteran of the bunch, going into his 9^th season with the Brewers, and he was quoted by the Journal on Friday when he spoke to the team before a workout in Maryvale. "I'm excited," Jenkins said. "I think we've got a really good team. I think we've got the right group of guys in place, the right coaching staff, and we've got the right guys calling the shots off the field. It's a good group of people.” He later said that for the first time, those words weren’t lip service. “I really believe that we've got a shot."

Apparently, the fans agree with Ned and Geoff. Eager fans started lining up outside Miller Park at 5:30 am on Saturday morning in an effort to secure tickets to their first choice games. A record-high 94,000 single tickets were sold in an eight hour time frame at the park, online, and by phone. One frustrated fan told me that by the time he got to the ticket window at 10:15, after being in line since 5:30, tickets to opening day were gone, and had been since 9:30. However, a quote by VP Rick Schlesinger in the Journal Sentinel on Saturday indicated that there were still tickets available in the $30 range, as well as obstructed view seats. When I checked the Brewer website Saturday evening, though, there were no tickets to be had for opening day. A quick call to Vince Trovato at the Brewer ticket office cleared things up. According to Vince, there are some standing room tickets still available, as well as some obstructed view seats, but they have to be purchased either at the ticket office or over the phone. Thanks for clearing that up, Vince!

So there you go, Brewer fans. One-stop shopping for all of your Brewer updates in one handy location. Until next time, it’s 33 days, 17 hours and counting until we’ll hear the sweet sounds of cheering crowds and cracking bats at Miller Park. Go Brewers!

Special Law to benefit Miller Brewery Workers
Passage Expected Tuesday

It’s Miller Time

By Michael Horne

Attention third shift workers at Miller Brewing Company! Thanks to you, co-workers can buy fresh, tasty, delicious Miller products – closed packages only – at the brewery until 11 p.m. – two hours later than now permitted by law for sales to anybody else in the city.

That’s the way Common Council File 051389 reads. The council will vote on the measure Tuesday February 28^th at its regular meeting.

As the law now states, no holder of a class “A” Fermented Malt Beverage Retailer’s License may sell fermented malt beverages between the hours of 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. The law will create the following very limited exception for any “brewery that operates a bonafide 3^rd shift for at least 9 months of a previous year.”

A brewery that qualifies –- and Miller is the only one to come to mind - – “may sell fermented malt beverages to its employees in a designated employee shopping area on brewery premises between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.,” if the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do so ordain. The measure was introduced by council president Willie Hines, Jr. The brewery is located in his district.

There is no evidence of any person or firm lobbying for or against this bill at this time, but those reports aren’t due until July, anyway.

ECONOMIC INTEREST STATEMENTS DUE

By Michael Horne

February 28^th is the due date for the “Statement of Economic Interests” required of all City of Milwaukee elected officials, and many of the city’s employees. A review of past documents shows that our representatives and higher-ranking bureaucrats tend to be people of modest means.

Mayor Tom Barrett, for example, did not own a single investment worth more than $50,000 in the calendar year 2004, according to the report he filed on February 28^th 2005. As of that date, he did have 15 investments worth less than $50,000, but more than $5,000. (Principal residence is excluded.) The mayor did get some gifts in 2004. The Mayor of Galway, Connaught, Ireland gave his Milwaukee counterpart a silver desk clock and a Galway lead crystal bowl, and the Governor-elect of Puebla, Mexico gave the man who lost a primary race to become Wisconsin governor a ceramic bowl.

Beth Nicols of the Downtown BID gave the mayor a framed black and white photograph of the Honorable Thomas M. Barrett. (You can never go wrong giving a politician a photograph of himself. Unless he’s naked). Joe Pecoraro gave Barrett a “metal artwork depicting mayor” (this I’ve gotta see!) and the Bank of America in Chicago paid for the mayor’s dinner with Barack Obama at a Chicago Economic Club function.

Still more art, for the poor guy, this time a framed artwork entitled Milwaukee as a Kaleidoscope donated by Lloyd Levin.

Bev Greenberg of Time Warner bought the mayor dinner at Scott Shully’s Chef’s Table. (By the way, the Mayor’s people misspelled “Nicols” and “Shully” on the form. They managed to crank out “Barack Obama” with no hitches.)

The Greater Milwaukee Visitors and Convention Bureau (spelled right, wrong name) sprung $582.56 for a flight to and a hotel in Philadelphia where Barrett participated in the NAACP convention there, and gave frequent flyer Barrett another $629.24 hotel / flight package deal to Austin where he participated in the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Convention. [Both organizations held major events in Milwaukee in 2005.] The Democratic National Committee gave our mayor a $500 flight and hotel to somewhere for a “meeting with other Mayors and participation in news conference,” and the Greater Milwaukee Committee paid a $189.59 hotel bill so that the mayor could participate in “CEOs for Cities in Chicago,” that toddling town.

Comptroller W. Martin “Wally” Morics, CPA, filed his report on deadline last year. The man who watches our money put his into the Vanguard 500 Index Fund, the FMI Focus Fund and the Mainstay 500 Index Fund, very conservative investments for a very conservative individual. Morics has a balance of over $50,000 in each of those funds.

Wayne F. Whittow, our city treasurer, includes his social security income on his statement of Economic Interests, which probably tells you enough right there. He also receives money from the Employee Trust Funds of Madison, Wisconsin for “Legislative Service” back before you were born.

City Attorney Grant F. Langley, who likewise filed his 2004 numbers at the very last moment, has got a family member who works at Blockbuster Video, and owns a 1/3 interest in a residential property on Harmony Point Lane in Boulder Junction, up dere in Vilas county. He’s listed as owning $50,000 or less in stock in McDonald’s Corp.; Prax Air, Inc.; Dow Chemical and Exxon Mobil. The State Bar of Wisconsin, where he served as a member of the Board of Governors, paid him $750 in 2004 as expenses to attend meetings.

Thank God these men have great big pensions awaiting them, since they certainly have been lightweights about investing over the years.

This brings us to Stuart S. Mukamal, an assistant city attorney who appears to be loaded. He shows 35 separate investments of between $5,000 and $50,000, including stakes in such firms as Associated Bancorp, Merck & Co., Exxon Mobil Corp. (just like his boss!), General Electric, J.P. Morgan Chase, Tootsie Roll Industries, Washington Mutual, Anheuser Busch, Citigroup, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Procter & Gamble, Target Corp., Wal-Mart Stores, Walgreen Co., Wells Fargo & Co. and a number of municipal bond funds (closed-end, of course.) Mukamal’s report is for the year 2005; he filed in with plenty of time to spare on January 26^, 2006.

CATHOLIC LAWYER LIST EXPLOITED FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES

By Michael Horne

It started innocently enough as a reminder that the annual Red Mass was to be held on February 26^th at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, with a reception to follow at the Milwaukee Athletic Club. The notice circulated among the e-mail membership list of the St. Thomas More Lawyers Society, which counts among its members many of the bigshots in Milwaukee’s legal community, beginning with District Attorney E. Michael McCann and working its way down the ranks. The Red Mass originated in Europe in the 14^th century, and marked the beginning of court season (the legal, not the royal, kind.)

The innocent announcement soon wound up as a bulletin board on legislative proposals when republican Rep. Mark Gundrum emailed everybody on the list with a political suggestion. Gundrum chose the catholic attorney’s organization to lobby for passage of a proposed constitutional amendment to make gay marriage doubly illegal in Wisconsin.

“This Tuesday the Wisconsin state constitutional amendment to preserve one man – one woman marriage in this state will be up for a vote in the Assembly,” he wrote. “This is the final hurdle before it (hopefully) goes to a vote of the people on a statewide referendum ballot this November. If you are interested in voicing your opinion on this, I encourage you to go to the Wisconsin Legislatures website … [Gundrum then gives instructions on how to contact one’s legislator and to encourage the legislator to “vote in favor of SJR 53.”] … “Prayers are also appreciated,” he finishes.

This message caused the following tart comment from fellow Catholic attorney and legislator, democrat Rep. Pedro Colon who wrote: “I will not be supporting this as you all know that Wisconsin Law already clearly bans gay marriage. I did not know that I had access to this e-mail list for political purposes. However, please advise me of the policy in order to take advantage of this tool in the future, especially as it relates to the persecution of immigrants under current legislative proposals.” Ouch!

LOUDER, FASTER, HARDER

Madison's JJO Hits Mke via Web

By Michael Horne

WJJO, a rocking FM station in Madison, Wisconsin, has landed on computers throughout Milwaukee -- and the world. Dubbed "JJO Milwaukee dot com," the internet radio station is not simply a streaming version of the Madison broadcasts, but is designed, management says, exclusively for the listeners of Milwaukee, who apparently have beseiged management by the thousands asking for the station to set up shop here.

The station does not broadcast any '80s music, because I guess that's what our big brothers and sisters were listening to when we were little kids and like does it suck, but management promises "Milwaukee will hear new rock first and only on JJO Milwaukee.com," according to Randy Hawke, the manager of the cyberstation. For more information, click on this link.

BATCH OF SPICUZZAS TURNS UP

In what might be one of the final instances of such an occurence, a batch of paintings by Francesco Spicuzza (1883-1962) have turned up in Milwaukee. Spicuzza, a Milwaukee impressionist best known for his scenes of frolickers at Bradford Beach, painted a variety of subjects during his long career. The recent batch, which may be examined at De Lind Fine Arts, 400 E. Mason St., descended in the family of Spicuzza's physician, Dr. Herman Weber who apparently accepted the works as payment. They date to the latter part of the artist's career, according to Michael Goforth and William DeLind of the gallery. The scenes range in size from the painting of a horse and plow, [shown here*], an oil on canvas which is about 2' x 3', to smaller works on academy board that are about the size of a sheet of writing paper.
The subject matter and the quality vary, which is a constant with Spicuzza. A watercolor showing a solitary fisherman in the distance is among the larger works, and it appears to have been fluidly drawn in pleine aire, as do the other scenes, including pictures of what appear to be summer cabins and recreational boaters, vintage 1950.
DeLind says the word is out on the street that the paintings are at his shop; he says a Spicuzza descendant will pop in later this week to take a look at the long-unseen paintings.
So are these the last of the Spicuzzas? It is a tantalizing prospect, and a perennial question in the art world. As DeLind puts it, "even though most have been found, more seem to turn up. Not like 10 or 20 years ago, but they do turn up. ... This collection is highly unusual."
Check for yourself.
--Michael Horne

BIRTHDAY WIMP SURRENDERS

Let's Have a Party!
There's nothing quite like an unexpected check to put a boy into a partying mood. Therefore, I am giving up the birthday wimpishness which has enveloped me and have decided to have a little fun in my neighborhood tomorrow, Saturday February 25th, at Circa, 1754 N. Franklin Place. [1 414 272-4722.] We'll keep this rather low-key and early; so let's start at 6 p.m. and run it out for a couple of hours, but nothing too crazy, of course. I'll also have a quarter barrel of Riverwest Stein Beer in my backyard, so come thirsty, and probably come back Sunday so we can finish the thing off.
Pardon the short notice.
Michael Horne
1 414 315-2991

[Editor's note: Michael John Horne was born on February 25th, 1954 in St. Anthony's Hospital, 1004 N. 10th St., quite literally in the shadow of the Milwaukee County Courthouse. He has not had the occasion to revisit the site of his birth, which is a good thing, since it now serves as the Milwaukee County Community Correctional Center.]

HARLEY DESIGN REVEALED

Milwaukee-- 24 February 2006 --Harley-Davidson today unveiled designs for its proposed museum to be developed on 20 acres in the Menomonee River Valley. The museum will be at the corner of S. Sixth and W. Canal streets. An image of the design is shown here.
The 130,000 sq. ft. museum is expected to open in 2008; construction will commence later in the first half of this year, according to information from the company, a motorcycle manufacturing concern founded in Milwaukee in 1903.
The lead design architect is Pentagram, of New York. Hammel, Green and Abramson of Milwaukee will be the architect of record, and M. A. Mortenson Company of Milwaukee will handle the construction management.


Milwaukee, February 23rd 2006

Dear Reader –

Thank you for dropping in to Milwaukeeworld today as the sun finally makes a showing in the sky, even though shrouded by the clouds. It still is a gayer sight than what we have dealt with for the last couple of months, and aren’t you happy to see the word “gay” used in its original meaning?

Well, we’re practically giddy around here, especially since the weather is giving us some impetus to get out and explore whatever part of the city we can enjoy.

This might be a good time to update you on a couple of stories we have been following here. For starters, art dealer Michael H. Lord pled guilty to charges of theft in a business setting. We wrote about his complicated business dealings here in the past. Sentencing is set for May. The man will do time. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel at long last wrote a rather in-depth piece about Lord, and the as many as 20 (or more) of his customers who were bilked out of the proceeds of the artwork they had entrusted to him over the years. C’mon folks – he wasn’t that charming! Anyway, I’ve practically made a career writing about this guy, and I certainly provided much information to Journal Sentinel writers about Lord over the years, and the paper just would not bite. I wonder how many people would have had their artwork or their money if the paper had done its job years ago.

Also, the residents of the Mequon Thiensville school district turned out in crazy big numbers to defeat a referendum that would have allowed the district to overspend its state-mandated budget. As a result, class sizes will be larger and there will be fewer teachers employed. In addition, maintenance will be deferred, there will be only one librarian on duty at a time, and who knows what else.

Mequon is an affluent community, located in Ozaukee County, which is not only one of America’s wealthiest counties, but also one of its least-impoverished. Homestead High School – the district’s only high school – consistently graduates virtually every student who attends, and sends practically every one of them on to college.

If there is something that is not working at Homestead, I don’t see it – yet. I probably will in a few years when the budget reductions take full effect.

Do let me hear from you,

Michael Horne

Editor / Publisher

1 414 978-8039

BOBOT A DRAW AT FUNDRAISER

Mo’s Cucina, 717 N. Plankinton Ave., was the site Wednesday, February 22^nd of a fundraiser for Vince Bobot, a candidate for sheriff in the democratic primary election against incumbent DINO David A. Clarke, Jr.

Over 200 people came and went during the course of the two hour reception that began at 5:30 p.m., filling the place nearly to capacity for an election that will not be held until September, which is quite an accomplishment, especially for an outsider who is taking on an incumbent of his own party.

Also telling was the quality of the attendees, who came from a broad spectrum of Milwaukee’s political elite. Former Mayor Marvin Pratt was there, which tells you something, as was what appeared to be the entire board and executive committee of the Milwaukee County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association IUPA Local 26, AFL-CIO.

Former Governor Martin Schreiber was there, as was Atty. John Germanotta, out for the second time that week, having spent the previous evening at the Brady Street Area Association annual Chili fundraiser at Engine House #6 on Brady Street.

J.D. Watts was there campaigning; practicing for his fundraiser Thursday, February 23^rd at DeLind Fine Arts, 400 E. Mason St. Former Health Commissioner Seth Foldy was in the house, as was Robert Krug ex-County Board member and Ald. Tony Zielinski, of the Milwaukee Common Council. Bill Ward was there representing the Milwaukee Police Association.

The event was light on speechifying, and large on socialization, a fitting way to break the ice on a brand new political year. The chow included pasta in a red sauce, breaded and fried somethings that might have been chicken and / or fish (didn’t try ‘em) and cookies.

The patriotic desserters in the crowd helped themselves to a chocolate and white cake decorated with birthday greetings for George Washington.

--Michael Horne

HARLEY DESIGN REVEALED

SEARCH ON FOR GREEN COMMISSIONER

GREEN COMMISSIONER NEEDED

Dear Reader,

Do you have the “ability to exercise sensitive judgment and maintain composure under stress?”Let’s hope so if you plan to become the city of Milwaukee’s Director of Environmental Sustainability, a new a non-civil service position created by the mayor, and subject to his appointment. Those serene qualities are listed as number 8 among the qualifications sought. [Here is the application]. This is a cabinet level position, and the successful candidate will report directly to the mayor."The Director manages all activities of the Office of Environmental Sustainability, reports to the Mayor of Milwaukee and has cabinet level stature. This position advises the Mayor, Common Council and City departments on strategies and policy direction to improve Milwaukee's environmental performance related to stormwater management, energy efficiency, air and water quality, solid waste, recycling and green business development. The Director will provide professional direction in the development and implementation of a Citywide 'Green Action Plan.'
The pay starts at $70,767 per year, and can reach, by increments, $99,074. Those who lose their composure under stress, or are insensitive in their judgment need not apply.

The “creative, resourceful and industrious” [Qualification 5] candidate will also have the “ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, other City employees, citizens, media, community organizations, the foundation community, the private sector and other agencies.” [Qualification 7]. You do know the local foundation community, don’t you?

What is the “Office of Environmental Sustainability?”

According to the job description, the “Office of Environmental Sustainability resulted from the efforts of over 80 committed Milwaukeeans convened by Mayor Tom Barrett in April 2005 to map the future course of Milwaukee's efforts to be ‘green.’

“This office will be the primary mechanism for the Mayor to ensure that Green goals and strategies are incorporated into the City's day-to-day operations. It will also leverage the resources of people and organizations outside of government to pursue community goals.”

Does that sound bureaucratic to you? Shame! The job description goes on to tell us

“The Green Team views this office not as a new bureaucratic structure, but as an investment in Milwaukee that will save costs in the long term and improve operational efficiencies.”

You have until March 10^th to submit your application.

--Michael Horne

WISCONSIN ETHICS: A PART TIME JOB

WISCONSIN ETHICS – A PART TIME JOB!

Brought to you as a public service by milwaukeeworld

By Michael Horne

You’re an honorable person, so hurry up and sign on as the State of Wisconsin’s Ethics Specialist. Our vigilant guardians of the public’s right to honest government have decided you can do the job in just 30 hours per week.

The Wisconsin Ethics Board wants somebody with “excellent communications skills and analytic ability” to join the board’s staff in Madison.

Your duties:

* Administer the Board's program for the disclosure of financial

interests by public officials;

* Assist in administering the Board's program for registration and

reporting for lobbyists and lobbying organizations;

* Communicate the Board's activities and actions to the public and

develop guidelines and other materials for dissemination to press, public and government officials;

* Work collegially to maintain and enhance the Board's databases and web site for recording and disseminating financial interest information; and

* Interpret ethics code and lobbying law for elected and appointed

government officials, lobbyists and lobby organizations.

But wait, there’s more – the starting salary can be as much as $29,750 – why, that’s equivalent to an annualized full-time salary of $39,667.

Still not convinced that this is the job for you? Think again! You’ll be eligible for a two percent raise in July, a dollar and twenty cent raise after a year and another one per cent increase in April 2007. That will bring your earnings all the way up to $32,539 – why that’s almost 75 per cent of the salary of the legislators you’ll be policing – with only a fraction of the work.

submit your resume now! Deadline is March 7^th.

CRUISE MILWAUKEE

AHOY! CRUISE SHIPS TO CALL ON PORT OF MILWAUKEE

(a milwaukeeworld exclusive)
By Michael Horne

Three ships plan to make a total of nine calls on the Port of Milwaukee this summer, according to information from the Port of Milwaukee. Great Lakes Cruising Co., an Ann Arbor, Michigan firm, manages all cruise ships in the Great Lakes. This is the firm’s eighth year offering cruises of our inland seas. According to the firm’s website, www.greatlakescruising.com, a number of trips – some lasting up to two weeks – are available.

The Great Lakes provide an intermediate sort of ship travel, coupling some of the openness of the high seas with the intimacy and frequent ports of call reminiscent of European ships that cruise the rivers and canals of that continent.

In fact, it was a German firm that revived the concept of Great Lakes cruising in 1997 when the newly-launched MV Christopher Columbus of the Hapag-Lloyd fleet ferried 400 people, mostly Germans, around the Great Lakes. The ship, which was specifically built to accommodate Great Lakes locks, returns to the scene this year with three trips, none of which will stop in Milwaukee.

However, as June approaches you might want to climb up to the widow’s walk where you will espy the Niagara Prince heading to our shores on the 17^th. It will pay another call in Milwaukee on June 26^th, to be followed by the Grande Mariner on July 7^th and 16^th and August 4^th.

Later that month, beginning on the 8^th, the Nantucket Clipper will pay weekly stops to our city.

The resumption of Great Lakes passenger cruises is a welcome sign for the continued vitality of Milwaukee. Europeans, it seems, are crazy about our lakes, which they lack.

CURIOUS CHENEY CONNECTIONS

Dear Reader --
Things are a blur here, but there is still a bit of time in milwaukeeworld's day to note some fascinating connections in Texas where Vice President Cheney peppered a hunting companion with birdshot. A couple of tidbits follow. -- Michael Horne


Yesterday we delved into the story of the Armstrong Ranch, where Dick Cheney peppered his hunting companion with birdshot. Milwaukeeworld was one of the first media outlets to note that Katharine Armstrong, the hostess at the weekend shoot, was also a lobbyist in Washington. We noted that her clients included the neighboring King Ranch of Texas, and a firm called Prionics, which has developed a test for Mad Cow Disease.
This is a curious juxtaposition, since cattle raisers like the King Ranch folks work very hard to deny the existence of Mad Cow Disease.
The Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, for example, filed a friend-of-the-court brief in June 2005 "to ensure that science accepted by Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) experts around the world is represented" in an appeal related to permitting imports of live cattle from Canada. (Guess whose dad was on the TSCRA board for 48 years? Answer below.)
The cattle raisers association said, "after reading Judge Cebull's opinion, which states BSE 'presents a genuine risk of death for U.S. consumers,' it was clear that either the court was presented with flawed information or the science was inadequately defended."
Prionics, the firm which Armstrong represents, however, has developed a system for testing cattle for BSE, which seems to put Armstrong on both sides of the fence on this issue.


BIG BUCKS FROM BAKER BOTTS
Milwaukeeworld.com also noted that Katharine Armstrong has Baker Botts for a client. Baker Botts is the attorney for the Bush family and for Halliburton, and for a rookie lobbyist, Armstrong did just great in 2003, the only year for which reports were immediately available.
Out of a total take of $540,000, lobbying both the House and Senate, $320,000 of Armstrong's fees were from the Houston law firm. Nice haul!

ABOUT ARMSTRONG RANCH

Armstrong Ranch is in south Texas, in coastal Kenedy County (population less than 500.) The Armstrong family has been involved in the area for since 1852 when John B. Armstrong bought 50,000 acres from the holders of an original Spanish land grant. Armstrong, a Texas Ranger, got the money from his reward for capturing the nororious outlaw John Wesley Hardin.
John B.'s great-grandson, Tobin Armstrong, is Katharine Armstrong's father. He died October 7, 2005 at age 82.
Tobin Armstrong served on the board of the Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association for 48 years, and was a county commissioner in Kenedy County, the family fiefdom.
In 1978, Armstrong served as appointments secretary to Republican Governor William P. Clements.
Clements was one of the first clients of a young political operative named Karl Rove, who headed his junior election committee, and sold him his direct mail products and services.
According to Rove, Tobin Armstrong's "diplomacy and eye for talent helped the governor fill crucial state offices." Rove further credits Armstrong with transforming Texas into a two-party state.

CHENEY'S HUNTING LICENSE
We have learned in the press that Vice President Dick Cheney did not purchase all of the necessary stamps to hunt in Texas at the Armstrong Ranch. He sent a check for $7 to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to cover that oversight. The chairman of the TPWC from 2001 to 2003 was Katharine Armstrong, upon whose ranch Cheney shot his hunting companion. Armstrong was appointed to the commission in 1998 by then-governor George W. Bush, and was appointed Chariman by Gov. Rick Perry.

Yes, Texas is a mighty big state, but the Bush-Cheney connections make it seem like a small town.-- Michael Horne

MY CHOPPER OR YOURS?

U. S. Bank wants Helipad

Milwaukee continues to hurtle into a Jetsons-esque 21st century with the announcement that U.S. Bank wants to build a helicopter landing facility at the site of a mixed use (residential, commercial, office) building of 41 to 45 stories it plans to build at 815 E. Michigan Street, adjacent to the U. S. Bank Building, 777 E. Wisconsin Avenue, the state's tallest office tower.
The plans will require a special use variance from the city's Board of Zoning Appeals, which will hear the Minnesota bank's request as the 74th item on its agenda on February 23. --Michael Horne

UPDATE -- 15 February 2006
Sorry to disappoint all of you helicopter and skyscraper fans, but I have some bad news for you, which I will allow Andrea Rowe Richards of the Department of City Development to deliver to you. Take it away, Andrea:

"Both the dimensional variance and special use applications were
withdrawn. This would include the heliopad. The architects, Kahler
Slater, submitted a letter to BOZA that requests the matter be postponed
for six months as the developer conducts a search for tenants." [End of Andrea Rowe Richards quote]

Bummer! [Comment by editor.]

GLORIOSO BROS. 60 YEARS ON BRADY STREET

Happy St. Valentine's Day, Milwaukee, and happy 60th birthday to Glorioso Bros. Co., the grocery store at 1020 E. Brady Street that opened February 14th, 1946, and is still in business today. Even more remarkable than the store's survival is the fact that three brothers -- Joe, Eddie and Ted Glorioso -- have been able to survive working with each other for six decades.
I am one of three brothers, none of whom could work together for more than six minutes, not to mention six decades. How do these brothers manage?
The answer is simple, Eddie said on Saturday as he worked behind the deli counter at the store. "We have our disagreements, we have our discussions, and then we forget all about it and go back to work."
I've been present for a few of the brothers' disagreements and discussions over the years, and my initial instinct was to run for cover behind a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano, but sure enough, the disputes seem to be quickly resolved, particularly the English-language ones.
More complicated arguments, like "who taught you how to stack persimmons?" tend to be held in Sicilian, which adds a certain buoyancy and flair to the debate, while at the same time limiting audience participation in the matter at hand.
The (literally) jam-packed store is but one outpost of the Glorioso empire. The brothers also own a quite large building on E. Corcoran St. in the Historic Third Ward that houses their wholesale operation. The Brady Street store also carries a number of private label Glorioso items including spices and cheeses.
If you haven't been to Glorioso's, it's not because they're the new guys in town; it's a matter of "where have you been?"
The store claims to have the largest selection of canned seafood in Wisconsin, with enough varieties of sardines to bring tears to the eyes of even the most stoic of Norwegians. Among other items are some excellent hard-milled European soaps (a steal at $1); Sicilian preserves ($2.50); many varieties of olives and olive oils, along with such essentials as white truffle oil and aged Balsamic vinegar.
The Gloriosos stayed put even during Brady Street's declining days; it is safe to say that the street would never have enjoyed its rejuvenation without the support of the brothers who could have easily fought the Brady Street Business Improvement District proposals that were eventually enacted to revitalize the area.
Instead, their support led other property owners to realize the hidden value of Milwaukee's lower east side. If Brady Street were a mall (and thank goodness it is not), then Glorioso's would be its anchor tenant.

--Michael Horne

CHENEY'S SHOOTING MISHAP

WISCONSIN LINK FOUND

In an incident not reported until nearly a day later, Vice President Dick Cheney wounds a fellow quail hunter at the Armstrong Ranch in Texas. -- News Item


"We go out when the dew is still on the grass, and then we hunt until we shoot our limit." -- Tobin Armstrong in 2000, discussing his hunting exploits with Dick Cheney.

The late Armstrong, upon whose 50,000 acre ranch Cheney accidentally shot a fellow hunter Saturday, went on to discuss an idyllic outing with Cheney:

"Then we pick a fine spot and have a wild game picnic lunch."

Last Saturday's shooting outing at the ranch left Austin attorney Harry Whittington, 78, peppered with birdshot from the Vice President's gun. He remains hospitalized as of this writing.
Armstrong's widow, Anne Legendre Armstrong, (Vassar '49) was the first woman ambassador to England, appointed by Gerald Ford in 1977. She was on the board of Halliburton, Inc. at the time that company hired Cheney, and is also the best friend and political mentor to Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.
Is that scary enough for you? If not --
Daughter Katharine Armstrong, a witness who reported the incident to her local newspaper almost a day after it happened, is a lobbyist registered with the U. S. House of Representatives. Among her clients is Baker Botts, the Houston law firm that employs James Baker III, who ran five consecutive presidential campaigns for Reagan, Bush and Bush, and served as Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury.
In a sense, you could say that Baker is the individual who won the 2000 election when he served as the head of the team that represented George W. Bush, the Supreme Court's winning candidate. Still not scary enough? Read on --
Katharine Armstrong also lobbies for King Ranch, one of the few Texas properties that is larger and richer than her own family's Armstrong Ranch, which is just down the road a piece. King Ranch is 825,000 acres, or 1,200 square miles, or a little bit larger than the state of Rhode Island. Tobin Armstrong's older brother married into the King family, so you could say her work for the King Ranch is also family related.
Katharine Armstrong also lobbies congress on behalf of Prionics, a Swiss firm that has a patent on a method of diagnosing mad cow disease, and claims as her only other client a firm called Trajen Systems, Inc. a Texas firm founded in 1992 to provide aviation support to the U.S. military. Scary!
Trajen announced plans last week to take over management Crites Field, the Waukesha county airport, so there's a Milwaukeeworld connection for you.

--Michael Horne

FLAGS FLY HIGH DESPITE PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION

KING FLAG PROCLAMATION IGNORED

By Michael Horne

February 7^th 2006, 1 p.m.

The enforcement of the Presidential Proclamation calling for flags to be flown at half-staff today, February 7^th, 2006, in honor of Coretta Scott King has been spotty, at best, from those flags visible from the milwaukeeworld.com vantage point high above the city's downtown.

As of noon, Marquette University, the Wisconsin Center District, the Milwaukee County Courthouse, Rockwell Automation and the Wisconsin Club all had their flags at half-staff.

However, public buildings including the Police Administration Building, City Hall, the Milwaukee Public Museum and the Milwaukee Public Library continue to fly the flags at the tops of their respective poles. [Update --2:15 p.m. The Milwaukee Public Library has lowered its flag. --Ed.]

The flags also fly high today at private buildings including the Milwaukee Center, the Hyatt Regency Hotel and the Catholic Knights building.

The presidential proclamation, reprinted below, asks that flags be flown at half staff until sundown – so there is still time for the parties above to remedy their lack of respect to the memory of a prominent American.

A Proclamation by the President: Death of Coretta Scott King A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Photo Essay: Remembering Coretta Scott King

As a mark of respect for the memory of Coretta Scott King, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, that on February 7, 2006, the day of her interment, the flag of the United States shall be flown at half staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset on such day. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.

GEORGE W. BUSH

LOST PASSIONS

Over a year ago, Milwaukeeworld.com told you that Passions Night Club, 200 E. Washington Street, was owned by Rep. Leon Young and his brother. Passions, you learned, had a long history as a lesbian bar, and I was wondering what kind of place it would be under its new owners.
It didn't take long to find out -- within days of my posting, there was a shooting at the bar, and, a couple of months later, another shooting.
This was too much for the neighbors and for Alderman Jim Witkowiak, who pressed in the Licenses committee, which he heads, to see that the bar be closed down.
Today, the Common Council was spared the agony of voting on the issue when Passions voluntarily surrendered its license.
During the committee hearings, representatives for Passions tried to portray the tavern as simply one of many in the neighborhood, and had the audacity to suggest the neighborhood problems there due to activities in area gay bars, most of which, like the Triangle and the Bootcamp, have been in the area for decades without imperiling the lives of their customers with gunfire.
I'm not sorry to see Passions go, and hope Rep. Young will not have lost too much money on this neighborhood disgrace. Maybe he can go back to work now as an assemblyman.
--Michael Horne

WEALTHY MEQUON SCHOOLS BEG FOR $

OLD SCHOOL DAYS

MEQUON REACHES OUT TO ALUMS JUST IN TIME FOR REFERENDUM

Thank goodness the junk mail settings at milwaukeeworld.com do not filter out messages from The Mequon-Thiensville School District School Board, otherwise I would not have received a recent alumni newsletter, my first ever, from Homestead High School, where I was a graduate of the class of 1971.

According to Dennis Krause, the Community Resource Director of what is certainly among the state’s wealthiest school districts, the newsletter “is another step in building an alumni community based on information from the most recent Homestead Alumni Directory.”

It is also an excellent way for the school district to remind former Highlanders that there is a referendum on the ballot in Mequon and Thiensville on February 21^st.

In the referendum, the prosperous burghers of Mequon-Thiensville will be asked to

“exceed the state’s revenue limits by $7.5 million over the next three years. District officials estimate a shortfall of $6.5 million over the next three years if the referendum does not pass. That would lead to severe budget cuts.”

Among the cuts – loss of teachers, loss of building maintenance funds (which will always cost more if deferred) and other draconian measures.

It just doesn’t seem fair that the wealthiest among us should have to suffer just because the poor and middle classes are having a hard time paying their taxes! Why send your kid to a good school district, if the district can’t spend its money to provide a good school?

Dennis Krause, the community resource director, has lived in Thiensville for 15 years, and many remember him from his days on the television news. His position is paid for by private funds.

For more information on the referendum, go to http://www.mtsd.k12.wi.us/MTSD/District/board-information/referendum/default.html

Michael Horne

MIDWIFERY BILL PASSES BOTH HOUSES

MIDWIFERY UPDATE

The Wisconsin Senate passed SB477 Tuesday, January 31^st, 2006 by a vote of 29 – 4. The bill, which we have previously written about here, provides for regulation of midwives in Wisconsin who are not also licensed nurses, and was promoted by Katie Prown, PhD., of Fox Point. The companion bill in the assembly, AB709, was heard the same day and sent on to the governor for his signature, which Prown expects to be forthcoming. According to Prown, “the Governor’s spokesperson indicated the Governor recognized the need for regulating midwifery in Wisconsin.”

She said the final days of lobbying on the bill were hectic, with a number of representatives of the medical establishment fighting its passage, including the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians, of Thiensville, of all places.

Prown said her group was able to secure its legislative goals with an expenditure of under $3,000, proving to her that “grassroots power” still has the ability to sway the legislature in Wisconsin, just when you thought all hope was lost.

The midwifery bill was good news to Sonya Jongsma Knauss, of MKE, the free weekly publication of Journal Communications, Inc. She and husband Dan plan to use the services of a midwife for the home birthing of their upcoming child, their fourth, which is on the way.

-- Michael Horne

SEMPER FIDELIS -- OMEGBU AMUSES

SEMPER FIDELIS

Omegbu Always Amuses

By Michael Horne

As I posted last Friday, Fidelis L. Omegbu, an attempted candidate for Milwaukee County Executive in 2002, filed suit in U. S. District Court last September asking for damages since he was not allowed on the ballot. He is asking for $20 million in damages from the taxpayers in his suit, a copy of which was sent to me by a kind reader.

I thought I would share some of Omegbu’s complaints with you so that you might make up your own mind as to the merits of his case, and to the character of a man who could have been our county executive.

Omegbu begins by filing his case against defendants “Milwaukee County District Attorney Mr. E. McCain,” by which he presumably means E. Michael McCann. He also sues the “Suprintendant” of the Milwaukee County House of Correction, and the Milwaukee County “Sheriff’s” David Clarke.

Aah, but these are merely simple errors of the dotted “i” and crossed “t” variety, and are hardly representative of the meat of Omegbu’s complaint, which goes on for more than 200 counts.

“Plaintiff was subjected to emotional injury, loss of liberty and freedom and deprivation of his personal property, including his noble position in politics.” [Emphasis added.]

I’m not certain which are the noble positions in Milwaukee politics; perhaps Omegbu was a member of the Milwaukee County House of Lords.

Omegbu explains for us why he “did not appear or challenge the disqualification [of his forged nomination papers] because of the defamatory issues in the press and media.”

We also learn that “plaintiff had a prospective contract if elected as the Executive to manage the Milwaukee County for defendants paying approximately $132,000 per year.”

Of course, this prospective contract was ruined when his forged nomination papers were rejected.

According to count 120 of the complaint, “the actions of the Sheriff Department in causing these numerous incidents of eviction unlawfully, making plaintiff unfit for housing.” You can figure that one out for yourself.

Yet worse fates than unfitness for housing befell our Omegbu (who now lives in a hotel, he says). According to count 124, on April 6, 2002, plaintiff was taken to St. Michael’s Hospital but was arrested by the “Milwaukee Policy” while in coma for battery charges.” You better watch out when the Milwaukee Policy is after you!

By count 194, we learn “other politicians similarly situated were not prosecuted like Gary George and the rest mentioned in this complaint were prosecuted and the campaign manager Mr. Dave Begel was not prosecuted because he is white man.”

Finally, in count 206, Omegbu reminds us he was sentenced to “only one count of election fraud.”

CHIEF HEGERTY'S WISH LIST

Dear Reader –

Thank you for dropping by the milwaukeeworld outpost for a visit. Today we follow one of the city’s most interesting ongoing stories – the Police Department Asset Forfeiture plan set forth by the Chief of Police. It’s always interesting to see where these funds get spent. It’s mad money for cops, and Nannette tells us where she would like to spend it.

Then, we’re off to Federal Court to look at another c-r-a-z-y lawsuit filed there.

If you haven’t checked in for awhile, I also posted a story about an interesting and controversial Journal Sentinel photograph which was good enough to make the front page of the Metro section, but not good enough, apparently, to save online. Read the story and you’ll figure out why.

Thank you for visiting, and stay in touch.

Michael Horne

Editor / Publisher

1 414 978-8039

NANNETTE’S SHOPPING LIST

CHIEF CALLS FOR SECURITY CAMERAS, COMMAND POST AND INTERROGATION ROOM UPGRADES

PLUS – ROOM AND BOARD FOR FIDO AND TRIGGER

By Michael Horne

It’s asset forfeiture time, that season when the chief of police puts her hat in hand and asks the Common council to approve expenditures out of the money she is likely to receive from federally seized forfeiture funds.

The Public Safety Committee will hear her request in a special meeting on February 7^th 2006, immediately preceding the regular meeting of the Common Council. Enough with the special meetings, already!

The request for funds was sent to the council by the chief on November 29^th. As of the day before, the Asset Forfeiture account balance was $1,084,161. By law, the funds must be expended to enhance police operations, and may not be used to replace regularly-budgeted items.

This feature has made the fund both a cookie jar and a Pandora’s box. As the chief noted in her request letter, “Historically about half of the items presented in the plan are eventually funded, based on the needs of the Department throughout the coming fiscal year.”

Now let’s get down to business!

The chief wants $15,000 in administrative fees so that the U.S. Marshal’s Office can recover its administrative expenses from seized assets. The police department “must make direct payments to offset expenses incurred in seizure of vehicles or other non-monetary property.” [Cash property is recovered net of the Federal Government’s costs.] “Payment of these fees allows continued participation in this program.”

The chief wants a like sum for Bomb Squad Training & Equipment, including alarms for “explosive bunkers.” Keep me away!

Chief Hegerty gives credit to Steven Avery and the State Supreme Court for occasioning a $60,000 expenditure for Booking & Interrogation Room Upgrades to provide better camera and audio recordings. I’ll stay away from that one, too!

A $10,000 item will pay for the food, medical care and boarding of three drug-interdiction canines. “Without funding, the Department will be less effective in drug interdiction and subsequently less successful in its attempts to secure federally seized forfeiture funds.” Keep those dogs away from me!

She would like another $145,700 to replace antiquated computer equipment purchased way back in the dawn of the century, in 2001. “Computer technology rapidly becomes obsolete and some of these older computers won’t run the current software that the department is installing.” From what I gather, few of the department’s computers run any of the software the department is installing.

Chief Hegerty also asks for $50,000 cash to be used in criminal investigations, “including drug related cases. If these funds were not approved, we would potentially have to suspend or curtail certain types of criminal investigations.”

Speeders beware! “Replacement of speed detectors has been neglected for a number of years.” The chief wants $41,125 to purchase at least 10 speed detectors.

Also on the list, Lights for Warrant Squad Shotguns ($7,200) “Personnel assigned to the Fugitive Apprehension Unit search daily for dangerous suspects in closets, attics, and basements. These lights attach to their service weapons, thereby illuminating the area being searched.”

The Mobile Command Post Update will cost $250,000 since “the current technology in the command post is antiquated. It will not interface with the new Computer Aided Dispatch, Records Management Systems or radio infrastructure in any meaningful way,” which is something you’d think the department would have thought about some time ago when the failed dispatch system was designed.

More ominously, for some, the chief also would like $100,000 to fund Pole Cameras. “With these funds, the Department will be able to purchase several portable outdoor camera surveillance systems that could be utilized to combat crime in targeted areas around the City. These units are both a crime deterrent and an investigative tool, when matched with other law enforcement initiatives.”

Also on the list is $105,000 for the Mounted Patrol. This sum will cover the cost of leasing seven horses for the patrol, once considered a controversial budget item.

Want more? There is plenty more here .

ANOTHER WACKY FEDERAL CASE

Do you remember Fidelis Omegbu? He sought to be a candidate for Milwaukee County Executive in 2002, but he was not allowed on the ballot because his nomination papers were riddled with false signatures. Omegbu was eventually criminally convicted in Milwaukee County Circuit Court, where he also has a criminal conviction for battery.

He’s back, this time in the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Case 05 C 596, in a suit captioned “Omegbu v. State Elections Board et al,” where he joins dozens of others who have a gripe and want to make a federal case of it.

Among the et als named in the suit: The Milwaukee County prosecuting attorneys, the Milwaukee County House of Correction, the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department and the Milwaukee County Clerk of Court.

In a January 20th 2006 letter sent to members who had served on the Elections Board at the time of the events mentioned in the suit, Kevin J. Kennedy, the board’s Executive Director, writes: “The theory of his lawsuit is unclear, but it appears he alleges a denial of equal protection based on his race and based on a too-short period of time to circulate nomination papers.”

Wisconsin Assistant Attorney General Charles Hoornstra is representing the Board as well as the Milwuakee prosecutors.

I’ll try to get a copy of the case so I can publish it for you. It is certain to be an amusing read. But I do have some advice for Mr. Omegbu – he owes $975 fines from the fraud case, which he should probably pay before he presents himself to law enforcement officials. – Michael Horne

THEY'RE OFF! COUNCIL JUNKETS FUNDED

Have Taxpayer Money, Will Travel

By Michael Horne

When the City of Milwaukee Common Council meets on February 7th, one of the items on the agenda is File Number 051005, a "substitute resolution authorizing attendance at conventions, seminars and other travel in the amount of $13,050.
We learn from the file that "four aldermen" [unnamed -- Ed.] will attend the "National League of Cities - 2006 Annual City Conference" from March 10-15, 2006 in Washington, D.C. at a cost to the taxpayers of $7,920. The events in the Nation's Capital will include "Lobby Day," during which buses will be available to take delegates from the Hilton Washington and Towers (standard room: $209 night, $229 double. Do aldermen bunk together?) to the Capitol where they are to descend on our legislators in Congress.
I'm certain the K Street lobbyists will be ignoring their regular clients like Exxon, Haliburton and the World Bank once they hear that four gentlemen from Milwaukee's Common Council will be in their town.
Alderman Michael McGee, Jr. is getting $1,80-0 to travel in April to Fort Worth, Texas where he will participate in the "National Forum for Black Administrators, Forum 2006 - Building Coalitions & Connecting Cultures." This trip will give Mr. McGee a chance to hang out with some real "plutocrats," the term he famously used to describe his colleagues on the common council during the Zoning and Neighborhood Development Committee hearing Tuesday, January 31. (The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel even chose McGee's "plutocrat" reference as its Word of the Day on the front page of Wednesday's newspaper!)
McGee is well acquainted with "building coalitions and connecting cultures," but the Black Administrators' website gives no clue as to whether programs at the forum might include topics like "Building Coalitions with Co-workers." If such a class exists, I move the council appropriate such funds as shall be sufficient to guarantee McGee's attendance thereat. Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Finally, the Common Council will send three of its members [unnamed -- Ed.] to Las Vegas, Nevada for "2006 ICSC Spring Convention -- Breaking New Ground" from May 20 - 24. The ICSC is the "International Council of Shopping Centers."
That foray will cost the public $5,310 but will return far, far more to our city's coffers, as past experience shows.
As you may remember, this is the convention that was a must-attend for city leaders last year when so many "leases" were "signed" for the PabstCity project, giving us the shops that now surround the House of Blues and Gameworks downtown. As you know, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

BOYS' SWIMMING TEAM PHOTO THREATENS SOME
Last Friday, January 27th, 2006 the front page of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Metro section featured two color photographs of the swimming team of Homestead High School, Mequon, my alma mater. The boys were in their suits in the locker room dying each other's hair -- and much of the locker room floor -- bright red. I thought it was a great picture, but by evening Friday people were saying things to me like, "I wonder what would have happened if an Ozaukee County teacher had that photo on his laptop?"
I was rather mystified by the comments until I wrote to Journal Sentinel photographer Richard Wood, who took the picture, and got his response.
Here's what he had to say: "Ever since ___________ implied ... that this was a situation that would appeal to perverts, the e-mails and calls have been coming in. ... but most people thought it was a great moment showing the rituals of youth, no different thatn say a group of high school guys painting letters on their chests for a high school football homecoming game., etc."
So what was Wood doing at Homestead, anyway? Heavens to TABOR, here's the answer:
"I was actually at the Mequon pool that afternoon to photograph the Germantown Boys Swim Team that practices in the pool at Mequon because they don't have a swimming pool in the Germantown Schools (they filled it in over a year ago due to budget concerns and haven't rebuilt). ... While I was there, I noticed all the Meuqon swimmers at the other end of the pool had bleached hair. That struck me as odd so I asked the Mequon coach why. He explained it was a tradition on the team to dye their hair for the conference meet, shave patterns in their hair for the sectionals and to shave their heads for the state finals (a bald head creates less friction a a swimmer gets better times.)
Wood goes on to say his own children, (one in high school, and the other in college) said "it's done all the time with many swimming programs and not a big deal." He then took proofs of the photos to the school to show the swimmers, and the athletic department, to get the names spelled correctly, etc.
So there you go! Sometimes a locker room photograph of boys in swimsuits is just a steamy, hot, locker room photograph of boys in swimsuits with Homestead printed on their rears. You don't have to get so excited about it.

--Michael Horne