Milverine is back! The local "Super Hero" threw out the first pitch at a recent Brewer Game…read more Way to go Brewers for bringing back this Milwaukee Legend!

This is HECKA OVERDUE!!! Okay, so the other night I was on my way walking to a friend's house and…read moreI see someone walking towards me just as I'm breaking out a smoke . I quickly put the smoke away coz I'm polite and assume most people don't like it when I smoke around them. I take a double look, I'm all like, OMG!! Pure SHOCK and JOY!! It's him!! I go up to him and ask, very shyly, "Milverine?? Are ya, Milverine?" He said yes. I told him I had seen the video on Vice and had seen him on the news (not really even sure if I was in Wisconsin when I first saw him in the media). I told him I was still kinda new to Wisconsin and that I'm a contemporary Vagabond. He was more than happy to tell me about the history of Milwaukee. The whole experience was really REALLY COOL!! He is 110% intelligent, respectful, and true to keeping it real. Most people out there nowadays do not want to do any kind of research, and unfortunately, fall for all kinds of nonsense when that all could have been avoided had they just done at least a little bit of research on their part. I enjoyed learning about the history of Milwaukee as well as the sound advice he shared with me. One of the best things about meeting and chatting with Milverine is he reminded me of the simple fact that it's always worth the while of doing a lil bit of research when you hear something, anything and especially before making an important discussion that'll have an impact on your life. I have nothing but mad respect for the man. If Milverine is reading this, I just want to say, Many Thanks!!

I read all the bad reviews and thought "it can't be that bad, it's a Fest in Wisconsin". I was…read morewrong, friends - so wrong. I've never in my life left a Wisco fest after 40 minutes and been actively pissed off, but congrats to you Chocolate Fest for coming in well below my low expectations. Have you been to State Fair? Imagine that, but with all the good parts left out. Basically, it's the super sketchy Midway area, with the kind of people who hang out there. You have to pay to get in which is a joke considering there is literally nothing to see or do whatsoever. Parking is in a muddy field and is $5. If you're smart (we weren't) you'll take one of the local businesses up on their $5 parking which includes 2 beers. Once inside, you'll enjoy exactly no local food providers except LD's BBQ which is the one and only redeeming thing here. Where are the brats? The roasted corn? If you want funnel cakes or deep fried cookie dough, yeah they've got that. ONE beer stand. Located on the opposite end of the site from the portajohns (there appeared to be ~20 in total). What? There's an "expo tent" which consists of 12 moms pushing their MLM Lularoe crap. So, anyway - it's called Chocolate Fest. So about that - there's the "chocolate experience" tent which involves maybe 10 places selling stuff. Ohhhhhkkaay. Or you can buy the same Nestle garbage that's available at any Walgreens for twice the price. How does this shitfest stay in business year after year? And for 3 days, no less? Everyone involved with this travesty in any way should be ashamed of themselves for desecrating the concept of a WI festival.

This was a nice festival, however, it is misleading to name it Chocolate Fest...it should really be…read morethe Burlington Festival sponsored by Nestle. The Chocolate tent was small and though there were some good samples, I felt we didn't a good bargain paying the extra money for the samples. The petting zoo was fun and there were plenty of other food options and things to see and do. I just wish the name was different so you wouldn't have a different Idea in your mind when coming. You imagine Chocolate fountains everywhere and booths creatively using chocolate for different dishes and products and it just falls flat in that regard. However, it was relatively cheap to get in, parking options are ample and many closer to the venue give you free drinks as incentive to park there. We actually found free street parking a block or two away so that was even better. All in all we had a good time and would definitely return next year!

Lake Geneva has an ordinance in place for all its privately-owned lake-front properties that…read moreessentially states, while pier access may be private, the lake front must be accessible to the public. It doesn't say that this access must be easy or hospitable, just accessible. I've been to my in-law's place on the lake several times but this 4th of July weekend was our first attempt at taking this lake front route back along the south shore from downtown. However difficult for a few stretches, it was thoroughly enjoyable and totally worth it (I ended up taking that walk two more times over the weekend). Most of the homes are PALATIAL...most of them are simply summer vacation homes for the families who own them and a clear example of what my husband and I like to refer to as "fuck-you-money" (as opposed to "fuck-your-mother-money", the likes of which I doubt I have ever seen actual expressions of up close). The "Expect a Miracle" house stands out among them all. I call it the "Expect a Miracle" house 'cause that's the marquis on the front and back fences of the estate (much like the "Graceland" marquis on the fence of Elvis' home). While the walking paths (where there are any at all) behind many of the houses are in various states of maintenance, the one behind this house is a deliberate "Welcome!" to all people who pass this way. It is a white-fenced path with inspirational quotes expertly painted along the rails and runners. The landscaping is deliberately designed for the pleasure of passers-by, there is beautiful and peaceful music piped in to the path area, and even a case that houses a signing book for visitors to share their sentiments of the house and the brief time they spent passing it. The path itself is paved with natural brick and well maintained. Where the terrain is uneven, small level bridges have been built to make the walk more accommodating. It stands out not for its beauty (though it is) and not for its size (it's palatial), but for the extraordinary sentiment it conveys which seems to say "We have been extremely fortunate in our lives, but we have achieved this with purpose and grace. Come, linger...share our fortune with us, and let us share with you some of the tenets by which we have lived to help us get here". I don't know the people who own this house. I don't know what they do. I don't know how they achieved their success. But what I DO know is how I felt walking past their home for the first time, reading the fence, hearing the lovely music, enjoying their landscaping and flowers and the hushed sounds of the waves lapping on the shore behind me as I faced the house. It was beautiful, and generous and peaceful and gracious...like a giant hug for the soul. It literally brought me to tears. And then I laughed out loud when, just a few yards further, passing the Wrigley mansion (now known as "Stone Manor") - whose lake front "path" is a sloped, muddy line as treacherously close to the drop to the lake (and as far away from the house) as possible - seemed to scream the sentiment "fuck you, peasant!" The disparity between the two experiences was downright comical.

I agree with the other review about many of the homes being amazing and palatial. This place…read morecertainly doesn't disappoint. What is so amazing about it is the calm feeling you get, the book of thoughts open for anyone to add to or browse. The path has its moments as you walk down it where it could be improved. While it is required, the quality of what is required was left off so it would seem. These people clearly appreciate what the path is for, what is about and how they can positively influence another's life. The quote's placed on the fence railings are amazing and well chosen. Each of them impart some kind of though or knolwedge to a person that would appreciate it. The messages are hand painted on the railings and clearly took time. The gardening and landscaping is first class and is evidence of the love and care that went into this place. Absolutely worth walking down the path, even if you have to work through a very uneven dirt path before it LOL.

The Godmobile has been a Milwaukee fixture for at least 25 years, when, similar to a scene in The…read moreBlues Brothers, an ancient station wagon complete with an electronic bullhorn strapped to the roof began driving up and down Wisconsin Avenue, blaring out religious sermons. Scores of pious Marquette students were either spiritualized or traumatized by its appearance. The Godmobile still lives and reigns supreme, albeit in a newly incarnated 1982 Chevy Caprice Classic. For easy reference, current and past iterations of the Godmobile are attached so one can easily spot it. The Godmobile has been spotted all around town, from Lake Drive in Shorewood to Brady Street in front of the Dry Hootch to the intersection right outside Discovery World. No matter what you believe, you can have faith that if you are in downtown Milwaukee you will eventually spot and scope out - The Godmobile!

Every major city has it's share of...unusual...but beloved characters. Chicago has the Walking…read moreDude, Atlanta has the fabulous Baton Bob and NYC has the Naked Cowboy. Milwaukee is lucky - we've got Freeway, Milverine, the late Dick Bacon and of course, Brother Ron driving the Godmobile. There have been several iterations of the famous Godmobile over the years - generally all of them are total beaters and most have been station wagons. They start out subtle, with just a few bible verses and sayings painted on them but eventually the current Godmobile becomes a rolling art project - completely covered in verses, sayings, a giant megaphone, creepy baby dolls, a sandwich board and sometimes those giant plastic candles you put in your yard on Christmas. You can expect to see Brother Ron all over town - mostly cruising up & down Wisconsin and Water but sometimes you might see him parked at the McDonalds on South 27th St. Itinerant preachers gotta eat too, I guess. My favorite Brother Ron/Godmobile story comes from a former co-worker: he claims that he was in line behind Brother Ron at Leon's Custard and dude's total came to exactly $6.66 and the man FREAKED out and left. No Satan Custard for him! Anyway, I like to appreciate the Godmobile for what it is - a little piece of what makes Milwaukee unique.

Black Cat Alley is an eclectic art experience in Milwaukee. It's what Black Alley calls "an outdoor…read moreart gallery" or simply said a collection of cool murals. I love seeking out new street art, so I added this alley to my Milwaukee itinerary. You can say it was right up my alley. LOCATION: I Uber'ed to the East Side to the Axe Bar (AXE MKE) which is right next to the alley. You'll find the alley behind the historic Oriental Theater at the intersection of North Avenue and Ivanhoe. Entry from Prospect Avenue and Ivanhoe are both available. Personally, I get lost everywhere and found it right away entering from the Prospect Avenue. The locals must not all know about this alley because my Uber driver was unfamiliar with this location. The area has some cool businesses, grab some food nearby! ART: Free and open 24/7. You'll find 21 murals by 24 different artists in the alley. You'll find the stories behind the art on Black Cat Alley's website or via QR codes next to the art. All murals are vibrant and creative. It's an equivalent of a museum where you'll linger by the art and try to find some meaning. The art is by global artists from places like Germany, Colombia, and others. My favorite mural was Catalina Bayona's "We Are All Immigrants" depicting wild animals and migration. It's very powerful when you think about it a little longer. All art is photogenic but be sure to check what releases you'll need for any commercial use. I wish that every city had art alleys. It's such a creative way to beautify cities. I look forward to my next visit to Milwaukee and another visit to the alley. I'll read up more about the art here before my next visit.

[Please keep in mind I travel a lot and hunt graffiti everywhere so this review is a direct…read morecomparison to other graffiti areas.] It's a small alley dedicated to graffiti. Some professional, some tagging. Some look like they were commissioned, some you can tell some were definitely done on the fly. It's not the best graffiti but I appreciate that Milwaukee has a small dedication to one of my favorite things- graffiti. Also- it's a safe alley. We went early in the morning and got donuts nearby. Drove by again a day later and a boba place is right around the corner.

It's the kind of thing you like to see on the side of the road to make your face smile. How did…read morethat get there?!

Great place to live!…read more Community picnic is the first weekend in August every year. Car show, fireworks, parade and horse pull are just some of the activities that take place. Town is small but has a much bigger school district which brings a lot of other activities to the Village.

Michael Feldman's Whad' Ya Know is an entertaining 2-hour live radio broadcast that takes place at…read moreMonona Terrace many Saturday mornings throughout the year. With free donuts, $5 tickets for students and seniors, and $10 tickets for adults, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more fun way to spend your Saturday mornings. Each show features interesting guests ranging from authors to ukulele virtuosos, a talented jazz duo (piano and bass), and LOTS of audience participation and interaction (so if you've ever wanted to hear your voice on nationally-syndicated radio, this is your chance).

First order of business: this live show is A) no longer located at Monona Terrace, and B) no longer…read morebroadcast on NPR. After 30 years, the nationally-syndicated show was, sadly enough, cancelled by NPR. The good news is the show has been revived as a podcast once per month, on a Saturday from 12PM - 2:00 PM at High Noon saloon. Nice symmetry there. I've followed and attended Whad'Ya Know many times over the past 30 years. I love that it is uniquely local, live and very original, in the vein of "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me," and "Prairie Home Companion," it's a mix of quiz show, musical guests, cultural guests like actors or writers, and all produced in a semi-scripted and quasi-improvisational format. Whad' Ya Know is the most improvisational with lots of audience interaction. If you are in the audience, you could end up on the quiz show portion of the program if not just interviewed by Michael as he strolls through the audience making sardonic comments about everything and everyone along the way. In fact this audience involvement is always my favorite-funny and unexpected, and a showcase for Michael's unique brand of humor. And dare I say, funnier than his written jokes, or monologue, at the opening of the show. A lot of "groaners" there sometimes. As for the High Noon venue, I loved being able to sit at a bar, order a Bloody Mary, nibble on slices of "imported" Glass Nickel pizza, and still watch the show. You couldn't do that in the auditorium at Monona Terrace. There are tables for groups and other chairs lined up for an audience members. Tickets for the show are only $10.00. And there is full bar service with two bartenders. So with the more intimate venue, and am smaller audience, there is more opportunity for the interaction and improvisation that makes this a special local event. In a more and more canned and artificial world of entertainment, Whad' Ya Know remains fun, immediate, and original. Great place to bring your out of town visitors.

Fun spot for good food and drinks in an admittedly crowded Milwaukee staple (or so I'm told)…read more I'm not gonna make it a victim of its own success just because it's super crowded and the parking lot is a stressful experience! Its heavy attended volume is well deserved; lots of interesting stalls line the ground floor, from coffee and candy to bbq and Thai. I wouldn't say it could replace regular grocery shopping; it's more like a fancy spot to shop for artisan goods like cured meats, sweet treats, baked goods, and other accoutrement. Plenty of seating on the open second floor (also a good spot to take photos of the market) if you want to eat there; otherwise grab some delicious food to go and enjoy the surrounding neighborhood!

We visited the Milwaukee Public Market while in town and found it to be just okay. The market was…read moreextremely busy, which made it difficult to comfortably browse the different vendors. Compared to other public markets we've visited, it felt much smaller, with roughly 30 or so vendors and food stalls to explore. Parking was also a hassle and added to the frustration of the visit. Once inside, one thing that stood out was how often we were reminded that the market would be closing soon. While we understood the closing time and weren't trying to stay past it, multiple reminders from different vendors made us feel a bit rushed as we looked around. There were some interesting food and shopping options, and it's worth a quick stop if you're already in the area. However, based on our experience, it didn't quite live up to the hype and wasn't as impressive as other public markets we've visited.