NEW SOUTH ENTRANCE, BRIGGS BACKYARD APPROVED FOR SUMMERFEST

CHANGES FOR THE BRIGGS BACK YARD IN STORE

Don Smiley (Right) and his team make a presentation to the Board of Harbor Commissioners



Special to the Readers of Plenty of Horne

By Michael Horne

And The Plenty of Horne Hound Dog Team

The Board of Harbor Commissioners unanimously approved plans by Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., to reconstruct the south gate of Henry W. Maier Festival Park by extending it westerly beneath the Hoan Bridge.

Demolition of the existing gate, used by 20%-30% of festival visitors is already complete, and much of the adjacent Briggs and Stratton Big Back Yard stage lie in ruins after a date with the wrecking ball.
However, according to the lease agreement with the commission, which is the landlord of the Summerfest grounds, the management of Milwaukee World Festivals required the board's permission for construction to commence.

The roof is off of the Briggs and Stratton stage -- and not blown off by recent winds.

The south entrance of Summerfest will now be west of the Hoan Bridge

This is what a Board of Harbor Commissioners looks like. Ald. Bob Bauman didn't attend because it is Budget Amendment Day at City Hall. Craig Mastantuono also skipped the gig because he's trying a federal case in Virginia.

PRESS RELEASE

Here is the press release about the changes at Summerfest.

BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION SIGNS 10-YEAR SPONSORSHIP AND PARTNERS IN STAGE RENOVATION

MILWAUKEE — October 28, 2011 – Summerfest officials are pleased to announce that Briggs & Stratton Corporation has extended its sponsorship of Summerfest and Henry Maier Festival Park for a ten year period.  The new agreement will continue through Summerfest of 2020.  Briggs & Stratton signed its original sponsorship with Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. in 1997 when it assumed the title position of the stage area with Old Style Beer and continued the relationship with a series of subsequent agreements to date. 

As part of this long-term commitment, Briggs & Stratton will partner with Summerfest in a renovation of the stage area footprint, which is part of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.’s two-year, $25 million renovation project, slated for 22-acres at Henry Maier Festival Park.  The renovation project furthers Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.’s focus on quality and strategic plan to continue developing and evolving the world-class festival site. 

“We are very pleased to be continuing our relationship with Briggs & Stratton and appreciate their sponsorship  commitment in this event, festival park and our community,” stated Don Smiley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.  “They share our vision of providing customers with quality and a world-class music experience.”

Along with constructing a new Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard area, including a stage and a new two-story structure, featuring a variety of food and beverage options at ground level with a covered VIP viewing deck on the second floor, the master plan calls for a new South Gate and Box Office, restaurants, walkways, merchandise areas, restrooms, beer stands and other features on the south end of Henry Maier Festival Park. 

The new amenities will not only enhance the Summerfest experience for patrons, but improve the operations and festival grounds for the Ethnic Festivals and others who conduct events at the site. 



“We are pleased to continue our sponsorship of Summerfest and Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.” said Todd Teske, Chairman, President & CEO of Briggs & Stratton Corporation.  “Our long term commitment to the festival only parallels our commitment to the Milwaukee community in bringing world-class entertainment right here in our own backyard.”

Work on the project has already begun with completion of the new Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard along with other elements scheduled in time for the 2011 festival season.  After the 2011 season, the second phase of the renovation project, including other areas within the 22-acre project footprint, will continue and be completed in time for the 45th Anniversary of Summerfest in 2012.

IT CAME FROM MARS: ALTERRA'S TEMPEST IN A COFFEE POT

COFFEE ROASTER'S LICENSE DEAL

WITH CANDY GIANT

BRINGS SOME TO A BOILING POINT

But Arrangement Has Perks for Milwaukee

By Michael Horne

I hope you have the opportunity to jump over to the Milwaukee Magazine News Buzz story published today on the recent worldwide arrangement between Milwaukee's Alterra Coffee Roasters and Mars, Inc., the worldwide candy giant.

Alterra has lent its name and considerable expertise to Mars's worldwide Flavia brand single-serve coffee system, while retaining its distribution rights for Wisconsin and Illinois.

But, judging from comments in the press and on the street -- and even in my story itself, since published -- there is much confusion about the arrangement, which I try to sort out.

DOES GREGG TUSHAUS, MEDICAL SCHOOL CIO SEND BIZ TO HIS FIRM?

School Does Business with its CIO's Firm

By Michael Horne

Milwaukee News Buzz ran a piece today that I wrote about the cozy relationship between Gregg Tushaus, Medical College of Wisconsin VP and CIO and his Tushaus Computer Services firm, which is a preferred supplier of information services to the school. Does this hurt competition and raise costs?

I haven't discovered any similar arrangement in my research.


Here is a link to the story.

REP. MASON HAS FRANK WORDS FOR MILWAUKEE DEMS

 FRANK TALK FOR DEMS AT FUNDRAISER

Rep. Cory Mason in Milwaukee

*   *   *
Larson's Quest Continues as Marathoner Runs Hard Against Empty Suit

Special to the Readers of Plenty of Horne

By Michael Horne

And The Plenty of Horne Hound Dog Team

NOW WITH PHOTOS!

Rep. Cory Mason and his host, Ray Vahey

 A handful of democrats, including such elected officials as Rep. John Richards, Rep. Barbara Toles and state senate candidate Supervisor Chris Larson held a fundraiser Monday, October 4th 2020 in support of the re-election efforts of Racine Rep. Cory Mason.

The event took place at the Astor Hotel residence of the genial Ray Vahey, who provided his guests with a buffet of sandwiches, brownies, wine and punch in a gracious and elegant setting enhanced by considerable artwork by Milwaukeean George Raab.

Among the attendees were such dignitaries as Charlie Dee and Michael Rosen, joined by  JoCasta Zamarripa, the 8th Assembly District candidate who hopes to replace Rep. Pedro Colon in Madison while he gets fitted for his judicial robes.

Before this starts reading like a Boris and Doris column, let it be noted that Mason delivered some insightful remarks about his trips on the campaign trail. He used many of the usual terms -- this is retail politics, we need to do doors, he could use another $15,000 to get out more literature -- and gave some suggestions to other candidates about how to deal with potential voters face-to-face.

Racine has an unemployment rate of 17%, Mason said. While that may be a good thing, since it increases the chance that folks are at home when he calls, Mason said, "I have learned that this is not a time to talk about my legislative accomplishments." The voters don't want to hear it. Instead, Mason suggests candidates talk to voters about their concerns -- and be prepared to hear an earful.
Also, expect Democrats to encourage early voting, which began in Wisconsin that very day. 

Larson, 29, is facing an empty suit in his race to replace Sen. Jeff Plale, whom he defeated in the September primary. The opposition is Jess Ripp, 27, who, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "says his legal and real estate work is on hiatus while he puts in 50 to 60 hours a week on his campaign."

It's hard to say what Ripp's legal work is, since there is no record of him ever having a case in the Circuit Court system of the State of Wisconsin. As far as real estate, he doesn't even own his own residence -- a luxury condominium in the prestigious Cudahy, 777 N. Prospect Avenue. (The condo is listed in the name of a family LLC.)
Larson, who lives in an actual house in Bay View that he owns, was not aware that the south half of the Cudahy Tower was condo. (The tower is apartments, and is still owned by Michael Cudahy.)

Although Democrats have held Plale's 7th Senate District for years, Larson has been a trailblazing candidate in many respects. He is not taking his candidacy for granted in this crazy election year, despite a weak opponent. In fact, Larson's facebook prowess and organizational skills may lead to an interesting situation in November -- Tom Barrett may get a benefit from Larson's coat tails, since he appears to have connected with many new voters.

That, Mason told the audience, may be the key to Democratic party strategy for victory. Get the youth vote. Mason used as an example polling numbers that indicate such Republican issues as anti-gay marriage are "no-starters for voters under 30. They just do not see an issue with gay rights."

Comforting words of hope for the host, Ray Vahey, who testified against the gay marriage amendment with his partner, the late Richard Taylor. 

PHOTO GALLERY

JoCasta Zamarripa makes an appearance at the fundraiser.

 Dom Noth of the Milwaukee Labor Press snaps a picture of Michael Rosen and Rep. Barbara Toles.

The Hotel Astor (or Astor Hotel) is getting a paint job.

Here is Rep. Cory Mason, wearing a Wisconsin flag pin, properly labeled and suited up to greet his audience.

Supervisor Chris Larson meditates as the sun sets on E. Juneau Avenue. He could use better lighting.

Here we go. Chris Larson in better lighting.

Oops! Charlie Dee got something in his eye just as I was snapping a photo.

Rep. Barbara Toles explains a point to Ray Vahey

Here comes Dennis Conta.

Cory Mason gives the audience the lay of the land.

More remarks.

Ray Vahey says this George Raab drawing may be a self-portrait. It caught my eye!

NEW OWNER FOR OLD SALOON

 IT'S A SWINGIN' DOOR,

NOT A REVOLVING DOOR:

SALOON TO HAVE FIRST NEW OWNER IN 4 DECADES

Special to the Readers of Plenty of Horne
By Michael Horne
And The Plenty of Horne Hound Dog Team

 [Iit's time for the Journal Sentinel to write about this, so let's prime the pump.--Ed.]
Michelle Sincere and Kevin "Casey" Swan have filed an application for a Class "B" tavern license for the Swingin' Door, 219 E. Michigan St. The bar, located in the Chamber of Commerce building, has been operated by Michael Murphy since he assumed the license in 1967. The matter will come before the License Committee and the full council during the October legislative cycle.
Swan, a veteran of Slim McGinn's, and an occasional bartender at the Door,  plans to upgrade the bar's menu, but to continue to maintain it substantially as it is -- namely a saloon whose history is rooted in the mists of time.
A photo on the wall shows the already well-worn tavern on the first day of repeal in 1933.

 

 [above: 1891 photograph of first U.S. bicycle messengers at Western Union office, now site of 'Door.]
SITE WAS BIRTHPLACE OF BICYCLE MESSENGER INDUSTRY

Much earlier photos date to the 1800s  when the space now occupied by the Door was the city's Western Union office -- which itself predated the 1879 building at the spot.
My research for Milwaukee Magazine resulted in the August 2008 article "Full Cycle," which established the location as the birthplace of the bicycle messenger industry in the United States based on contemporary accounts and historical research.
That led to yet another photo -- a portrait of today's bicycle messengers who continue to give the place life now hangs inside.
Mr. Murphy is expected to divide his retirement time between his residence in the city and his country place in Elroy, Wisconsin.

DIVORCE WILL COST SEXTING CALUMET DA HIS "$350,000 HOUSE"

 SEXTING DA BRAGS ABOUT

HOME, SALARY

SOON TO BE WITHOUT EITHER, LET'S HOPE

+  +  + 
Read the Sexted Texts Here

Special to the Readers of Plenty of Horne

By Michael Horne

And the Plenty of Horne Hound Dog Team

Kenneth Kratz, the Calumet County DA who sexted an abuse victim 30 times over 3 days in October 2009 saying such things as:

"Are you the kind of girl that likes secret contact with an older married elected DA  . . .  the riskier the better?"  

won't be married much longer.

According to court records,  MaryAlice B. Kratz and Kenneth R. Kratz filed a joint petition for divorce on December 15th, 2009.
So, it's safe to say MaryAlice B. got wind of the sex messages somewhere along the line. The default divorce will be granted October 14th 2010.
In his sex messages to the victim, Kratz bragged about his $350,000 home and six-figure income.

"I'm serious! I'm the atty. I have the $350,000 house. I have the 6-figure career. You may be the tall, young, hot nymph, but I am the prize!" he texted.

[What a creep. --Ed.]

The Kratz Residence. Yours for $335,000.

It looks like Kratz won't have his $350,000 house any longer. The residence at N9435 Dusty Drive, Appleton, has been on the market for the past six months, and is now priced at $335,000. Let's hope all the money goes to Mrs. Kratz

THE SEXTED TEXTS:

Kratz: It was nice talking with you! Feel free to text me (between 8 and 4) if you are bored. You have such potential. See ya. KEN (your favorite DA).

Kratz: I'm not worried...well maybe just a little. I'm more curious what made me text you?

Kratz: Ok. We'll go with that answer. Thanks for putting up with me so far. I wish you weren't one of this office's clients. You'd be a cool person to know!

Kratz: No text yet today? I'm feeling ignored. Are you even up yet?

Kratz: Oh no. I hope you feel better. Do you need me to bring some chicken soup.

Kratz: I can do, but you are awfully sweet. Just don't tell anyone, ok?

Kratz: Seriously I hope you feel better soon. Please keep in touch. Its maybe not the wisest thing

Kratz: How about a margarita? That has some fruit juice in it!

Kratz: I know this is wrong. I am such a honest guy, and straight shooter...but I have to know more about you. Does that make sense to you? I bet u get this a lot!

Kratz: Are u the kind of girl that likes secret contact with an older married elected DA...the riskier the better? Or do you want to stop right now before any issues?

Kratz: I need direction from you. Yes you are a risk taker and can keep your mouth shut and you think this is fun. or you think a man twice your age is creepy so stop

Kratz: Ok. No problem. Either way I think you are very nice. I am very smart, but know this is ALL up to you and really does depend how close to the edge you live!

Kratz: Still wondering if I'm worth it?

Kratz: Can I help you answer any questions?

Kratz: You don't say much, do you?

Kratz: When you are that pretty, I guess you don't have to! (now the compliments start).

Kratz: Its true. Why would such a successful, respected attorney be actling like he's in 7th grade? Are you worried about me?

Kratz: You should never lie to me! Obviously we have talents and things to offer that the other is intrigued by, or you would have called me creepy! You wanna accept

Kratz: Me either. Its supid. Have u ever been spoiled by someone? I mean like being taken care of and spoil him with attention in return? Without ever saying no?

Kratz: If you are not worth that kind of passion, we'll know it right away. For now I'm just suggesting we find out. Its either perfect or I'm not going to do it!

Kratz: Hey..Miss Communication, what's with the sticking point? Your low self-esteem and you fear you can't successfully play in my big sandbox? Or???

Kratz: I'm leaving for the day. Let me know after 8 tomorrow. You will be either excited or grossed out about the opportunity you have. But it will only come once!

Kratz: What do you hope your life looks like in 5 yrs? What kind of residence? A job, making how much in the household? A relationship with what kind of guy? $$$?

Kratz: How are you feeling today. You stopped talking yesterday.

Kratz: Are you serious? Ok? That's it? Are you busy? Are you in a board meeting? You are beautiful and would make a great young partner someday. But I won't beg!

Kratz: I'm serious! Im the atty. I have the $350,000 house. I have the 6-figure career. You may have the tall, young, hot nymph, but I am the prize! Start convincing

Kratz: Finally an opinion. I would not expect you to be the other woman. I would want you to be so hot and treat me so well that you'd be THE woman! R U that good?

Kratz: You forgot to write me for the last time saying you could never give me enough attention to steal me away, and you are so modest that you wouldn't know how to!

Kratz: And that you may look good at first glance, but women that are blonde, 6ft tall, long legs and great bodies don't like to be shown off or to please their men!

http://www.trulia.com/property/1095652428-N9435-Dusty-Dr-Appleton-WI-54915


http://wcca.wicourts.gov/caseDetails.do;jsessionid=97A0327F761B78C3D8AFD3C834DE8DEA.render6?caseNo=2009FA000219&countyNo=8&cacheId=07E16AEE9F9D28E6775A52A54BAB75F2&recordCount=4&offset=1

LARSON BEATS PLALE

By Michael Horne

Chris Larson scored an impressive victory against Sen. Jeff Plale in the Democratic primary election September 14th 2010.