Between the Bars

Your Guide: 2012 Memorial Day parades, services and salutes

Note: The content of this guide was updated for 2012. Between the Bars continually updates the many posts available here, though it's possible some details, specials and offers may have changed. Consider calling first if you have specific questions for the businesses, events or services mentioned in the guide.

Monday's a day to remember those who have sacrificed by serving our country. Many Milwaukee-area communities are helping do that with remembrance ceremonies from special services to parades.

One of the highlights is the 147th Consecutive Memorial Day Parade, which takes place at 2 p.m. Monday, May 28 in the heart of Downtown.

This Week: The Bradley Center is dead and so is a much scorned asterisk.

To keep Between the Bars– and you – up-to-date, this weekly post offers a compilation of both the amusing and the significant (mostly the amusing) local stories from the last few days that I’ll find by sifting through other blogs and online news sources. Basically, it’s a half-assed post that will allow other bloggers/writers/reporters to do the work for me so that I can keep you informed, dear readers.

• The Business Journal reports today that BMO Harris Bank has secured the naming rights to the Bradley Center, and that the aging complex will now be known as the BMO Harris Bradley Center. Rolls right off the tongue, doesn’t it?

Quick Review: Classy Girl Cupcakes

When I’m not blogging from the nearby coffee shop, I’m working at a local advertising agency. I'm not going to lie, there are some perks to working in this industry. One particular bonus is the goodies we often receive from potential reps or media vendors. I reckon about once a week we get some type of sugar-laden gift from a rep that's trying to convince our agency to do business with them.

Today’s sweet enticement came from Classy Girl Cupcakes, one of the many gourmet cupcake bakeries to recently open shop in the Milwaukee area. Our generous rep from About.com ordered a dozen and had them delivered this morning.

Beginning as a cupcake-centric catering business, the success of Classy Girl Cupcakes spurred the opening of their cupcakery just two years ago. Quaintly positioned downtown Milwaukee in Cathedral Square, the storefront is where cupcakes are baked from scratch in small batches each day, using high-quality ingredients such as real butter, unbleached flour, fresh fruit and natural vanilla.

This Week: Milwaukee is full of freaks. Also, we have award-winning beer.

To keep Between the Bars– and you – up-to-date, this weekly post offers a compilation of both the amusing and the significant (mostly the amusing) local stories from the last few days that I’ll find by sifting through other blogs and online news sources. Basically, it’s a half-assed post that will allow other bloggers/writers/reporters to do the work for me so that I can keep you informed, dear readers.

• According to The Huffington Post, the winners of the World Beer Cup were announced early Sunday morning at the conclusion the 2012 Craft Brewers Conference, which hosted the event. Several Wisconsin breweries received awards, including Milwaukee's very own Lakefront Brewery for their Baltic-Style Porter. Click here for the full list of honors.

Get Out: Farmers markets are in bloom

Note: Between the Bars continually updates the many posts available here, though it's possible some details may have changed. Consider calling first if you have specific questions about the business or activity mentioned in this post.

Farmers markets are beginning to sprout all over Wisconsin this month, blooming with a vast selection of luscious fruits and organic veggies, fragrant flowers and pungent herbs.

Open for the season and always close to home, the markets give local farmers the chance to display their goods, while giving residents the opportunity to socialize and browse the homegrown produce lining the aisles in an open-air and inviting setting.

This Week: Mr. B's named a top steakhouse, more Summerfest announcements, etc.

To keep Between the Bars– and you – up-to-date, this weekly post offers a compilation of both the amusing and the significant (mostly the amusing) local stories from the last few days that I’ll find by sifting through other blogs and online news sources. Basically, it’s a half-assed post that will allow other bloggers/writers/reporters to do the work for me so that I can keep you informed, dear readers.

• John Savage, the father of Miller Lite, died at age 101. He is credited for advising the president of Philip Morris to develop a "lite" brand of beer for Americans seeking a lower-calorie brew, according to the Journal Sentinel.

Quick Review: Aladdin - Tastes of the East

With the warm weather finally here, my body has been crying for spring-fresh, flavorful foods, mostly of the fruit and vegetable variety.

One of my favorite places to procure fresh vegetarian deliciousness that fills you up without emptying your wallet is Aladdin – Tastes of the East deli. Located inside the Public Market, Aladdin dishes up an exceptional array of tasty Middle Eastern food to go.

I stopped in today over my lunch break. Just a brisk walk through a sun-dappled alleyway takes me directly to the Market in mere minutes. Yep, that’s one of the luxuries of having your office located in the Third Ward. It’s also why as soon as the day reaches 11 a.m., I begin to daydream about stuffing my face with silky hummus.

Recurrently voted best Middle Eastern cuisine, at Aladdin you can get a variety of made-to-order sandwiches and combo plates that both meat eaters and vegetarians will find exciting. The bevy of items include chicken curry, chicken and Egyptian rice, kabobs, gyros, falafel plates, and for dessert, baklava. Should you find yourself in need of a single item, say some olives, baba ghannouj or pita bread, those can be purchased as well.

This Week: All I've got.

To keep Between the Bars – and you – up-to-date, this weekly post offers a compilation of both the amusing and the significant (mostly the amusing) local stories from the last few days that I’ll find by sifting through other blogs and online news sources. Basically, it’s a half-assed post that will allow other bloggers/writers/reporters to do the work for me so that I can keep you informed, dear readers.

• Need another excuse to get wasted outdoors on a Thursday night this summer? Here you go: Tunes on the Terrace, featuring acoustic performances on the terrace of Trocadero Gastrobar (1758 N. Water St.) takes place every Thursday at 7 p.m. Future performers include Nicholas Stuart and Hugh Masterson on May 3; Josh Harty on May 10; Allen Cote on May 17; Ben Hall on May 24; and Timothy Schweiger on May 31.

Get Out: It's Milwaukee Beer Week!

If your current list of favorite beers is limited to Miller Lite and PBR, you are woefully behind.

Sure, such brews occupy taps at the majority of Milwaukee’s taverns, but locals have begun to develop a taste for high-quality, independent brewers. Yes, even in Milwaukee, a hub for Miller products, folks are moving out of mass, domestic brands and trading up to unique beers made by small, independent outfits.

Craft beers - from lagers and ales to stouts and barley wine (which is not wine at all) - are gaining in popularity. Last year, craft brewers sold an estimated 11,468,152 barrels of beer, an increase from 10,133,571 the year before, according to figures from the Craft Brewers Association. The group defines a craft brewer as any brewer with an annual production of six million barrels of beer or less.

Get Out: Earth Day in Milwaukee

I don't know about you, but I have a special place in my heart for Earth Day. Perhaps it's because the environmental movement's roots are here.

After all, the founder of Earth Day was Wisconsin's past U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson. Now, 42 years after the first Earth Day, the tradition of helping and communing with Mother Nature continues.

Worldwide, hundreds of countries will stage events to commemorate the annual eco-celebration on April 22. But, there are many opportunities locally to participate in the global event.