Maple & Main

Last Friday, Cork Art House held their first ever “Celebration of Young Artists” reception at their Gallery, located at 400 West Main Street in Downtown Waukesha.

If you missed it, you missed out on a great opportunity to purchase some wonderful works of art done by very talented artists ranging in age from 5 to 18.

Many of the young artists were on hand Friday night to talk about their pieces and mingle with other artists, family, and fans.
It was a great time.

The artwork will be on display until the end of this week. If you are downtown this week, wander to the west end of Main and gaze at some excellent artwork.

The regular artists at Cork Art House will be relocating this fall to the new Brook Street Condos, between St. Paul Ave. and North Street, next to Walgreens. When they get settled, they promise more “Young Artist” gallery showings in the future.

A new gallery will open in the Cork’s Main Street location.

Thanks to everyone who made the “Celebration of Young Artists” a great success.

If you are down enjoying Friday Night Live tonight on Main Street in Waukesha, add another stop along your tour.

The Cork Art House, 400 West Main, is hosting “A Celebration of Young Artists” reception from 6-8 PM.

Artists ranging in age from 5 to 18 are displaying their work at the Gallery this month. Some of the pieces are for sale and all of them are outstanding.

The pieces demonstrate a variety of mediums including pastel, watercolor, oil, and charcoal. Depending on when you stop by, you may even get to meet some of the artists.

The reception is tonight, July 21st, from 6 to 8 PM at the Cork Art House, 400 West Main, Downtown Waukesha. The Gallery is right next door to the donut shop.

The Cork Art House is home to a variety of other artist that specialize in everything from glass to jewelry to fabric art. Take some time to look around and see some sensational artwork. You may find that perfect piece for yourself or a great gift for a friend.

The kid’s work will be on display until the end of July.

It looks like Downtown survived another “Carl Zach Cycling Classic”. Overall, from the corner of Maple and Main, it seemed like a successful event. Some bonehead spilled oil on South Street, perhaps to cause a headache to cyclists. It delayed the race a little, but that’s about it. The crowds looked a little smaller this year; I’m sure the heat had something to do with it.

Cyclists are not really good at cleaning up after themselves, nor are their fans or their vendors. However, the town was cleaned up and restored to order by Monday, which was not and easy task. I am sure (some of) the downtown businesses appreciate it.

El Rey and the Nightbeats were allowed to play an extra half hour in parking lot three Saturday after the bike race thanks to the kindness of the Waukesha Police Department. My sincerest thanks to the Police for keeping an eye on the event- it made a big difference. People are a lot less likely to misbehave when the Police van is idling near by and officers are walking through the crowd.

While on the subject of Police, when did smoking while walking the beat and talking on cell phones while driving squads become a routine part of an on-duty officer’s day? If public safety and positive image are concerns of our department, maybe the City should consider “hands-free” units for officers while driving and officers smoking out of the eye of the general public. I’m thinking about our “impressionable” young people here- what kind of image does this portray to them? Just a thought. And an opinion. I still think our Police officers are some of the finest in the country. So does Money Magazine.

Smoking is becoming a big topic here in Waukesha. Someone called me this weekend regarding an article that read, “having a smoking section in a restaurant is like having a p*ssing section in a public pool”.

Accurate I would say.

The Carl Zach Cycling Classic is this Saturday, July 15th, in Downtown Waukesha. It is a great event to enjoy even if you are not an avid biker.

However, not everyone is a pleased as punch that it runs through the Downtown Business District.

Before I go on, let me make something VERY clear. The following story is “word on the street”. I am not mentioning names of people or stores, I am merely relaying what I have heard and seen in the past few days.

Saturday is a busy shopping day for many of the merchants down here on Main Street, especially in the summer when the weather is nice. This Saturday, Main Street will be closed from West Avenue to Broadway.

There is no shortage of people down here, but “shoppers” are another story. Coffee shops and restaurants will probably do well, as folks are looking for water, soda, food, and such but other merchants are feeling a little jaded.

A local artist and gallery owner I spoke with mentioned that there is an increase in “lookers” (people just looking), and she said that is a good thing. These lookers will return in the weeks to follow with friends to make purchases.

On the other hand, if you ask at a business such as a salon, they may give you another story. They will actually be closed for the weekend and that can mean big losses for them.

It depends on who you are and what you do.

To further demonstrate the frustration some are feeling, take a drive down Main Street (before they close it) and check out what one of the businesses on West Main has to say about it. It’s hard to miss- it’s a big sign in the window reading “IT’S TIME TO SCREW UP THE OTHER END OF MAIN”, accompanied by a graphic of a bike with a line through it.

This sign was enough to get under the britches of more than a few folks. As a matter of fact, someone, under the cover of night, scribed a message for this merchant on the sidewalk outside of his window. It depicts a bicycle with the words, “JUST RIDE” above it. Next to that is the Nike symbol.

Very clever and very tasteful I might add, seeing as they could have chosen to write something a lot worse.

I spoke with the owner of the business today. He got a kick out of the sidewalk art and was quick to point out that the Nike symbol was lacking its registration mark. The vandals could face a serious lawsuit if Nike finds out! He said he would leave it out there until the rain washes it away. He stated that everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion.

What a concept!

As the race draws closer and Downtown prepares itself for bikers and fans, a cloud of ill-will looms overhead.

As a merchant myself, I am never happy about having to close my doors on a busy day, but I look at it as my donation to the bike race. It’s one day a year and I can live with that.

Perhaps next year we can discuss some alternatives to ease the frustrations of those affected most by Main Street being closed. Could the race be held on Sunday? Who knows?

Regardless, if you are free this Saturday, stop down and enjoy the race. The course includes a wicked turn near Main and Broadway and that could be very entertaining. There will be a block party in the clock tower lot and El Ray and Nightbeats will be playing from 7 to 11 PM.

And it’s going to be 90 degrees!

“Beta mode” is killing me.

The Journal Sentinel is still working out the kinks with the WaukeshaNOW website and it is not quite running at full force.

Regardless, I want to hear from you out there. If you are reading this blog and you have a comment to make, I want to know.

I hear comments through the grapevine, but that’s really not good enough. I want direct communication.

So, here it is, my email address: curtotto71@yahoo.com.

All I ask is that you are patient. I find just enough time throughout the week to write blogs and I will do my best to get back to you as I can.

If you have questions or comments, just drop me a line. I would like to hear if we share the same thoughts or if you think I am completely off my rocker.

If you send me garbage or spam I will find out where you live and snip the cable lines to your home.

I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks for your input and support.

Waukesha is a City of approximately 65,000 people. That’s a lot.

I would be under the impression that a City this size would operate like other cities I have lived in.

Let’s take Chicago for example. If you have an issue or concern in the City of Chicago, it could take you 3 days to figure out whom you are going to call about it.

Once you make the call, chances are you may not talk to a human being.

Finally, it may take another year before you get a result- I use the word “result” to describe the computer generated letter you will receive stating someone will address your concern in the near future- before or near the return of Halley’s Comet, maybe.

California was similar, but they were far craftier. You will NEVER talk to a live person on the phone. Ever. You might as well fix the issue yourself. However, I will say issues in that town were few and far between.

This brings me to Waukesha. As a business owner/resident here, I pay a lot of attention to my surroundings. I want to maintain a safe and friendly environment for my patrons.

In the two years I have been here, I have brought many issues to the attention of:

-The City of Waukesha via the “Issues and Concerns” column available at the City website
-The Police Department
-My Alderman

I have to say, I am completely impressed, in fact a little shocked at times, at how responsive and supportive this City is. If this City does one thing right, this is it. In a City of 65,000 people, my issues and concerns are important. They are listened to. They are resolved.

I listen to a lot of people complain about a lot of things this City does wrong and don’t think for a second that I haven’t been one of these people once or twice.

However, Waukesha gives its people the chance to bring their concerns to the attention of those that need to hear them. If you disagree with me, you are not paying attention to all of the opportunities you have.

When you are finished reading this, go to the City of Waukesha website and take a tour. It’s great. Since Mayor Nelson’s term, the site has undergone some nice changes. It was good before, but it’s getting better.

While you’re at it, check out who your alderman is. Contact them if want. From this website, you can find out all kinds of information about who’s in charge of what and where to find them.

In closing, I want to thank the City of Waukesha for listening. We appreciate it. Thanks to the Police department for keeping an eye on our downtown, and thanks to my Alderman for his very active role in our community.

This City works well.

Now about the “Welcome to Waukesha” sign…

He’s back.

Waukesha’s most eligible bachelor flew in last month and has taken up residency again near his favorite piece of downtown real estate, the Fox River.

He seems attached to the downtown scene. Summers in Waukesha have been a yearly repeat venue for him.

An avid fisherman, the rushing river and plentiful fishing are huge draws. He loves quiet nights and moonlit walks along the riverbanks, mostly to search out prime fishing locations.

His objective this summer is the same as years past; fish as much as possible and find himself a mate, who also enjoys fishing.

You may recognize him if you are strolling along the banks. He has a slender build, piercing eyes, and long nose, which all work together to compliment his distinguished style. He’s very handsome, ladies, if you’re into the slim look.

In describing his personality, one word comes to mind; shy. He doesn’t like large gatherings. So if you want outgoing and wild, he is not your type. As a matter of fact, when too many people begin to gather around and look at him, he will get fidgety and fly away.

That’s right, I said fly away.

What else would he do, take a bus? With a six-foot wingspan like his, you would fly away too.

Herons don’t like crowds.

That is why he prefers the night scene. He can wander the river in peace, and fish until his heart is content. It was along those banks that I first met him.

I saw him glide silently over my porch one night, two years ago. He checks for an open landing strip along the water and gracefully swoops in. Once settled, he shakes off the dust of the day and begins his hunt for dinner.

It’s really cool to watch.

He stalks silently along the riverbanks, in and out off the weeds and trees, and under the Clinton Street Bridge by Waukesha State Bank, occasionally pausing to make a strike at a passing fish. His patients usually pays off with a meal.

He’s alone now, but by summer’s end I will see him pass by with a mate. He likes ‘em tall and slender, a lot like himself. The two will finish the summer together and when the chilly autumn air begins to mix with the ending summer breeze, they will vanish to wherever it is they go.

My friend said the fact he comes back each year is a sign that the eco-system here is good. That makes sense (and that’s a real good thing), but I prefer to say he really likes Waukesha.

If you’re down this way in the evening, walk quietly along the west end of the river and you just might see him. Sometimes he’s in early, around seven PM or so, and sometimes he doesn’t get in until 10.

Just remember, he’s shy. Watch quietly and don’t try to talk to him, he doesn’t like that. If you have a good zoom lens, you may even get a photo. He has a very large “personal space” area, so it can be difficult to get close.

Herons are amazing creatures. Graceful, beautiful, cunning, and handsome, (in an Ichabod Crane sort of way), he’s a welcome addition to a Waukesha Summer.