BRADY STREET HISTORY BOOK OUT

By Michael Horne

Frank D. Alioto will commute from his Astor St. home this evening, February 4th, 2008, to Regano's Roman Coin, 1004 E. Brady St. The 278-foot journey through the heart of Milwaukee's most densely populated square mile will bring the Milwaukee Fire Department captain (as of January 28th, 2008) to the first book signing for his history of the Brady Street neighborhood.
Owner Teri Regano usually keeps the Coin closed on Mondays, [nobody can figure out why] but she's opening the place this evening at 5 p.m. to give Frank a couple of hours to peddle his $19.99, 128-page history of his neighborhood.
The book, entitled "Milwaukee's Brady Street Neighborhood," was released on January 28th, 2008 by Arcadia Publishing Co., a firm that specializes in such works.
The volume is an outgrowth of a monthly history column Alioto has written since 1996 in The Brady Street Newsletter, where I also write. The book signing event was publicized in the February Riverwest Currents, all the way across the river, but word of it did not reach me until I ran across Frank on Saturday putting posters up inrthe neighborhood.(I would have told you a whole lot sooner, otherwise.) If you can't make it tonight, you can buy the book at the Brady Street Pharmacy, just across the street. Frank says the sooner you buy the book, the better for him, since his royalties will diminish once the book is released through retail channels. God knows the Brady Street News doesn't pay, so it would be nice for him to recoup some of his considerable expenditures over the years.
A cursory examination of the volume shows a number of familiar and not-so-common photographs of the Brady Street neighborhood, some taken by the author, who has mined neighbors' closets and basements for many of his historic treasures. The photographs are accompanied by brief captions. Special coverage is given to Brady Street alumni and alumnae (Howdy, Oprah!) and to some of the spectacular blazes the street endured over the years.

ALSO ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Brady Street will be the site of a birthday party for 3rd District aldermanic candidate Patrick Flaherty this evening, Monday February 4th, 2008, at Cempazucchi, 1205 E. Brady St. The restaurant is also featured in Flaherty's campaign literature. ... You can wake up the next morning and have breakfast with Rep. Dave Obey at the Milwaukee Athletic Club, if that's your thing. ... On the same day, 3rd District candidate Sam McGovern-Rowen plans a meet-and-greet at Linneman's Riverwest Inn, 1001 E. Locust St. The gig is merely a run-up to Sam's big event at Turner Hall on February 12th, 2008, when he will receive the endorsement of former presidential candidate George McGovern. McGovern will be in town to endorse his grandson. ... The former South Dakota senator has also called for the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney.I do not believe this is particularly timely. In fact, it's too little, too late. I say let them finish out their terms and then put them both on trial. ... Third District candidates will square off in a forum in the ritzy part of the district on Wednesday, February 6th when the Water Tower Landmark Trust hosts them in the basement of the Lake Park Bistro, 3133 E. Newberry Blvd. Also on February 6th, 2008, the ubiquitous Lena Taylor will welcome supporters at MOCT, 240 E. Pittsburgh Ave.There is but two weeks and one day remaining until the February 19th primary. I defy anybody to predict what will happen in the 3rd or 6th districts, but if you'd like to share your ideas, you know how to do so. ... Folks who are accustomed to vote at Convent Hill, 1325 N. Jefferson St., might be surprised to find their old polling place closed. They may also have a hard time finding their new polling place around the corner at 455 E. Ogden Ave. That's because the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee hasn't yet put any numbers on the new building. Let's hope there will be sufficient signage to direct voters to the polls by election day.
--Michael Horne