Milwaukee, WI

Ok, you all heard my ranting from the above story, now another one hits my desk. A 17-year-old south suburb, Greenfield girl conspired with a 14 and 16 years old, to rob her parents at gunpoint. Did you miss that last word? Gunpoint!

She had it all planned to have these two boys come in at GUNPOINT to rob her parent’s as a home invasion. Local Police responded to the home at 4:36 a.m. on July 26.

The parents where awoken by a teen brandishing a handgun and demanding money and a gun. The boys where later apprehened and provided a statement to the detectives implicating the victims’ daughter in the execution of the crime. She later confessed and was taken to the Milwaukee County Jail where she is pending formal charges of armed robbery. The boys have been referred to the Milwaukee County Children’s Court Center.

This goes on to say what the heck is it with people under 18 years old in Milwaukee lately. We have 12 years with sledgehammers and 17 year old planning a armed home invasion. Is there something in the water? No the problem honestly is the city. What is there for kids to do at night? They build a club, it gone because of gun fire. They build a skater park, its shut down because of violence. What is it going to take to save this around here? That is something the local guys should push, instead of the local Crate and Barrel or Cheesecake Factory. Give the ages something to do!

Last week several boys where captured on security video trying to break into the Brown Deer Target store with a sledgehammer last week Monday. There are reports that these where boys as young as 11 years old!

First lets explore the age. We are talking 11 year old kids at night bashing in glass doors at a Target with a sledgehammer. What the heck is a 11 year old child doing out at almost 3 in the morning breaking into a Target? And how do you get a sledgehammer to a place? On the bus? Lets ask the last question. Where are the parents? Hey, I know what I was doing at 11 years old, and it was no near a sledgehammer or a Target. Actually at 3am, I know without memory that my backside was pointed towards my bed with visions of, well lets not say who because that would give away my age.

Well according to the Milwaukee police account, yesterday they where able to capture the kids as they returned to the store. They where were recognized by a store security officer, who called Milwaukee police. Actually with all of the local media outlets playing this on their local news I am surprised this did not happen sooner.

After a short foot chase these boys ages 12 - 14 (when booked)where refer to the Milwaukee County juvenile authorities. But then again I go back to the ages and the parents. This is truly a case where the parents should be brought in too. Let’s be honest. This is not the age of responsible parenting here, come on let’s be real. Your 12 year old takes a sledgehammer to a local Target store. What to get games? To get food? Now we know what they wanted and it wasn’t the food.

This is a clear case where the parents should also be held accounted for because that age is not adult, it is not consenting and it is sure too young to be out of bed around 3am on a Monday morning with a sledgehammer!

Late night TV talk show host Tom Snyder who pioneered this style of journalism as passed away at the age of 71 years old from complications of leukemia in San Francisco on Sunday. He was known for having just one guest and talking with them in depth for the whole time with his signature cigarette smoke in the background.

As the host of NBC’s “Tomorrow, which followed the Tonight show from 1973 to ‘82, Mr. Snyder was fortunte to conducted numerous memorable interviews. For us music lovers he conducted John Lennon’s final televised interview in April 1975 and U2’s first U.S. television appearance in June 1981. Or who could forget his wild interview with Wendy O Williams of the famed punk group, one appearance she blew up a TV in the studio, and another appearance she demolished a car.

One of his most famous interviews came when he talked with Charles Manson. This was something I later studied in a Journalism class. You could see the way he weaved his way through the various sides of this person, without judging or losing his cool.

I remember watching his shows, one person sitting in this very plain studio, was such a departure from the glitz of the Tonight Show, thinking the network gave him a raw deal. Later I learned that it was the way he like it. Just plain and simple.

Later in 1982 the network decided to revamp it bringing in a studio audience and adding a co-host, but that he would have none of the glitz. Instead walked away at the height of his success and an unknown young comedian named David Letterman. Never forgetting what Mr. Snyder did for him, Letterman brought him back to create and host of The Late Late Show.

In 2005 on his website Mr. Snyder announced that he had chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

He is survived by his daughter and longtime girlfriend.

On Tuesday the Milwaukee Public Schools abruptly closed 25 recreational fields where many adults and children play during the summer in city soccer and softball leagues. This as a precaution to prevent anyone from being exposed to a possible harmful level of toxic from a fertilizer the Milwaukee County Parks used on July 3. With many of these leagues coming to an end, this comes at a most unfortunate time to the possible end of the season. This also could spell trouble for school’s fall sports programs that are due to start their training camps in a few weeks.

This has many Milwaukee County residents wondering what the heck went wrong. How could the local officials not know about this fertilizer used to treat public parks and recreation centers? Has local County Manager Scott Walker budget cut so much that they do not have the man power to have precautions in place?

The Federal and State environmental officials are doing extensive soils tests and all areas where the fertilizer where used. EPA officials from the Chicago regional office will oversee collection of soil samples at a dozen or more recreational areas today and at the remaining sites on Thursday.

Yesterday while battling AirTrans, Midwest Airlines learned they earned the number one spot on Travel & Leisure magazine’s Domestic Airlines in service with a score over 77 out of 100. They have been top on the list for three out of the four years this category has been published. Each year this magazine publishes lists of the finest in airlines, cruise lines and resorts worldwide.

“Midwest Airlines is honored to be recognized by Travel+Leisure
magazine,” said Timothy E. Hoeksema, chairman and chief executive officer.
“Being named the top airline for service shows that passengers appreciate
the dedication of all of our employees to providing an exceptional travel
experience. We look forward to providing our award-winning service to
passengers on Midwest flights for many years to come.”

Not on this list any years it has been published is AirTran, the company looking to make a hostile bid to take over this local gem in the travel industry. With many flights equiped with their signature service of two wide leather seats on each side and all baking fresh cookies on board, this airline services 51 cities throughout the United States and connects on to many international airlines.

As reported earlier Air Trans out of Florida is making a hostile bid to take over the local airline Midwest Airlines (formerly Midwest Express). In a bid to let the shareholder know what the people are thinking, Midwest Airlines has set up a website to Save the Cookie. Here is the link where you too can sign the petition to keep this airline local,

Help save our local pride, Midwest Airlines and save the cookie!

Like many long time residents we are mourning the passing on a local icon, Dennis Getto the restaurant critic for nearly 25 years at The Milwaukee Journal. He passed away due to a rare lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis. He was 57 years old.

Over the years me, like millions of other local Milwaukee readers, we looked for that current restaurant review by Dennis Gotto to search out that next big find. You could trust his reviews because of his legendary ways of keeping is identity a secret. Actually yesterday was the first published photo that was ever seen of him. He took great pains to make his reviews honest to blend in with the other diners. There are reports that he often disguised his appearance with facial hair, hats and various wigs. He also kept the identity in question by always paying in cash, giving fake names for reservations and asking anyone who did dine with him to play along which where a select few.

His reviews could make or break a local Milwaukee restaurant, but he did not keep to the local market. Over the years he made trips throughout Wisconsin to bring us the best in a dining experience, no matter what your area and budget is. Some say he even review the local Krispy Kreme when they came to town.

There are many of restaurants in Wisconsin that owe their success to him because of his fair reviews. He did not go out there to make or break a restaurant, instead he acted just like you and me sitting down to eat outside. Granted ones that did get a good review saw a jump, and other failed. There was not a mean side to the failures which was well respected. When my husband and I moved back to the area from California we did look to his reviews for guidance. We ended up finding a awesome, little hole in the wall Indian restaurant who has had our business for almost 10 years.

Thank you Dennis.

He is survived by his wife and son. The services are currently pending.

For months now the executives of AirTran Holdings Inc. have brought their benefits, proposals and public relation department to the people of Milwaukee, hyping their efforts to take over Midwest Air Group. We have all seen it on the various air ways, saw people having fund raisers to buy whatever stock is out there and in the various print medias. Now because they know, this is not getting them anywhere, it is time to hit on the local civic leaders. Can they not get a hint?

Yes, they say more jobs, cheaper airfare prices and more nonstop flights. But all that is flapping jaws. Our little hometown airlines which started off as Midwest Express giving Milwaukee people nonstop flight choices to various East, South and West Coast cities. Later they grew into just Midwest Airlines, our pride and joy. Granted they can be a little bit higher in price but that’s because you are treated like royalty. AirTrans is all about treating you like cattle getting on a truck for the slaughter house. Tight fitting seats that my Midwest butt has to squeeze in, food that is not there and no service with a smile. With Midwest Express, you are going to the opera, Broadway show, a classing dining place. You have on some planes two seats on each side, freshly baked cookies (excuse me while I have a moment) and service. Yes, I said service. I know we are all about the cheap, but let us people who book clients on these flights have a choice. Steak or Cheeseburger.

All they want to do is come in and get the routes, then shut them down. Doesn’t anyone remember that AirTrans was Air Florida with a major plane disaster which later had company fallouts. As a travel agent owner for 10 years and in the business over 20 years I have seen the rise and fall of too many airlines. The big guys buy them, then gone is the identity, that made them what they are today. There will be problems on all sides. And what happens if they do not make the profits that they want. Well, they can tell the public sorry good bye, see ya later, the next flight out oneway!

Don’t you think that after your first proposal in 2005 was turned down and we are in 2007, to take a flight, no I mean fight elsewhere. Well we have until August 10 when the latest $389 million in cash and stock options expires. Lets book a time to meet back here on that day!

This past Thursday – Sunday the International rally of the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America at the Washington County Fair Park in West Bend, minutes outside of Milwaukee. The Washington County Sheriff’s office states that around 8,000 people attended the event.
Unfortunately the end of the event was marked by tragedy.

A Hartford driver was involved in a crash that killed the president of the Iowa City, Iowa, chapter around 8am Sunday morning in the adjacent Dodge County. The driver crossed the center line and hit the motorcycle. He was wearing a helmet. Then on Monday morning a couple from West Palm Beach, Florida with a 1993 BMW and sidecar where killed in Washington County. The couple was trying to avoid a collision after the car in front of them slowed down. They crossed into on coming traffic where they where hit and ejected with their bike ending up in the ditch, caught fire and burned. Both where wearing their helmets. The couple was pronounced dead at the scene.

The oldest county fair in Wisconsin starts today at the Waukesha County Fair Grounds. Walk throughout the barnyards featuring the various wining barnyard animals from the county’s 4-H mentor program, take in the various local booths, the fabulous smells and tastes of the county’s finest cooks and of course the kids will love the various rides for all ages in the Midway.

An affordable event for all families running Wednesday July 18 3pm – Midnight, Thursday – Saturday 10am – Midnight and last day Sunday 10am – 9pm. Advance tickets online are $6 for Adults, $8 at the door, for Youth’s 8 – 12 years old $3 and Children 7 and under are Free and Daily parking pass of $5 or for you Motorcycle riders there is free parking sponsor by Harley Davidson. There is also special daily admission prices like $1 Wednesday, Senior Citizen $3 Thursday.

This year there are three musical stages that will keep you hopping and rockin all five days. On the main Miller Lite Stage this year you have Poison Friday at 8pm, Shinedown Saturday at 8pm and Charlie Daniels Band Sunday at 6pm. The Side Stages are filled with various musical styles of local talent.

Excellent spot to go out with family, friends or just the two of you on your bike. Stop in for a picnic or just a get together to enjoy our great summer weather this weekend and support your local youth!