Category: Uncategorized

Mornin’ All,

Happy Friday, Happy (almost) Weekend, and Happy End of the Week!😃

Well, Fall is certainly making its presence known. It looks to be a weekend of crisp nights giving way to frosty mornings. And as more pumpkins appear we see our shadows grow longer as our days grow shorter. Blooming hardy mums beckon us to don hearty sweaters and curl up with a steaming bowl of chili or chowder or booyah or hot cocoa or whatever warms you to your bones. Candlelight and moonlight (and maybe even a few ghoulies and goblins). Ah yes, the season of Hygge (and this Hygge train ain’t slowing down until…May???).

And, yes, we see more and more Milwaukee weekend activities moving indoors. But is Milwaukee winding down? Nope! Not even close! So much to do (and still so much gorgeous weather…wear a sweater)!😃

So without further ado, and in no particular order, here are a few Milwaukee weekend things to do:

-Honor Flight: gather at Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport to welcome home our veteran heroes as they return from their incredible journey to Washington DC.

-Marquette University Theater debuts The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with performances through October 16th.

-The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and pianist/composer Aaron Diehl team up to perform Song of a New Race featuring Gershwin’s Concerto in F, Still’s Symphony No.2, and Copland’s Rodeo.

-2022 Cine Latino Film Festival at Marcus Theaters.

-Yuletide Faire at the Prairie Hill Waldorf School in Pewaukee.

-Milwaukee County Zoo: red panda baby has been introduced to the public and is now hangin’ out outside saying hi to humans (and if that red panda baby should happen to disappear…umm…it’s not at my house).

-Dinos in the Dark at the Kenosha Dinosaur Discovery Museum.

-Wisconsin Fear Grounds at the Waukesha County Exposition Center (WAY too scary for me!!!).

-Fall Street Festival in Port Washington.

-Rooftop Stargazing at the UW Milwaukee Manfred Olson Planetarium.

-Board Game Day at Indeed Brewing Company.

-Second Hand Purrs Vendor/Craft Fair at Knights of Columbus in South Milwaukee (Maui, my rescue fur buddy from Second Hand Purrs, highly recommends supporting Second Hand Purrs).

-Full Moon Walk at the Wehr Nature Center.

-Nature Nauts at the Wehr Nature Center (for kiddos).

-Elegant Farmer Fall Harvest Fest.

-Empty Bowls at The Beer Garden in Deer District.

-Twisted & Tortured: An Evening of Tales and Art History from the Macabre at Trove Arts Parlour in Wauwatosa (‘tis the season for…the macabre…still too scary for me).

-HKE MKE benefiting the Urban Ecology Center (at the Urban Ecology Center Riverside).

-Sordid and Scandalous: A Walking Tour of Lake Geneva (will there be gangsters??? Al Capone???).

-Flannel Fest 2022 at the Cooperage (perhaps one should wear flannel???).

-Gallery Night at Gathering Place Brewing Company.

-Korea Day Celebration and Symphony Orchestra Concert at UW Milwaukee.

-Racine Theater Guild presents The Swan Princess (this weekend only).

-Covered Bridge ART Studio Tours in Ozaukee and Washington Counties.

-The Bucks are at home (preseason) against the Hawks. OOPS!!! MY BAD!!! The Bucks are playing the Hawks in Abu Dhabi. Sorry about that.😕

-The Admirals are at home (preseason) against the Wolves.

-Slow Art Saturday at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

-Second Saturdays in Downtown Kenosha.

-Clothing Swap at the Urban Ecology Center Riverside.

-The Magic of Glen Gerard at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center.

-Wolf Pack Trail Run/Relay at Bong State Recreation Area.

-Shorewood Fish and Feather Festival at Hubbard Park.

-Sunset Paddle at the Urban Ecology Center Riverside.

-Angelic Roots in Oak Creek presents: Intuitive Vision Circle; Full Moon Release and Renew; Medicine Wheel Drum Workshop.

-Jack-O’-Lantern Nights continues at the Racine Zoo and runs through October 30th (admission helps pay for animal chow at the Zoo…and it’s an awesome little zoo with a beautiful location right on the Lake Michigan shore…and who doesn’t want to help pay for monkey biscuits???).

-China Lights continues its fantastic nighttime Lanterns in Wonderland revelry at the Boerner Botanical Gardens (through October 30th). Umm…am I the only one who needs an egg roll (gluten free of course) after being at China Lights?

-Carthage College Theater wraps up its performances of Antigone.

-Next Act Theater continues its performances of Kill Move Paradise (through November 6th).

-Skylight Theater continues its performances of Mama Mia (through October 16th).

-Milwaukee Repertory Theater continues its performances of Unforgettable (the music of Nat King Cole) with John-Mark McGaha (through November 6th).

-Milwaukee Repertory Theater continues its performances of Titanic (through October 23rd). Umm…does the ship still sink at the end?

-Milwaukee Repertory Theater continues its performances of Wife of a Salesman (through November 6th). Umm…is this about the wife of the salesman who dies (ya know…Death of a Salesman???)???

-The Milwaukee Domes continues its Once Upon a Mum Fall Show (through Nov. 6th). Umm…more mums than a PTA meeting???

-The Milwaukee Public Museum’s narwhal exhibit comes to an end this weekend. Umm…if narwhals have a really big and special tooth does this weekend mean we’re on the “cusp” of the exhibit’s exit?

-The Posters of Jules Chéret at the Milwaukee Art Museum continues its run through October 16th.

-Concerts: WAY too many to mention and includes Five Finger Death Punch, Chris Stapleton, Diana Krall, etc., etc., etc.

-Rogues and Ruffians Renaissance Faire at Circus World Museum in Baraboo (oooooh, jolly good!!!). Hmm, will we see Rico the Reconciler or Patty’O Highlander this weekend???

-Farmers Market? If you’re heading to Baraboo for this weekend’s Ren Faire how about stopping by the Saturday Dane County Farmer’s Market on the Capitol Square in Madison?

-Hike? If you’re heading to Baraboo for this weekend’s Ren Faire how about stopping by Devil’s Lake or Parfrey’s Glen?

Winery? If you’re heading to Baraboo for this weekend’s Ren Faire how about stopping by the Wollersheim Winery?

And there you have it. Please, please, please enjoy your Weekend. And please take care of yourself and your friends. Get out and enjoy all the good that life has to offer. And always know that being still and quiet and relaxing and renewing is ALWAYS an outstanding accomplishment.

Best regards and I’m hoping to see you around town.

Doc

Mornin’ All,

Happy Friday, Happy (almost) Weekend, and Happy End of the Week!😃

Well, here I am in uncharted waters: isolating due to a positive COVID test. Yep, COVID finally caught up with me. Since the beginning of the pandemic I’ve been very careful and I’m even vaxxed to the maxx. But life is happening (now) and life needs to be lived (now). And living my life I have. No regrets. Living life has been good and welcomed. Though I STILL have a significantly altered lifestyle due to gluten (and that will always be) I’ve been getting out there and re-establishing connections to things I enjoyed in my BC (Before COVID) days. And as I may be keeping a low profile this weekend that does NOT mean it’s a low profile weekend in Milwaukee!!! So enough of my self-indulgence and let’s get on to the good stuff!!!

So without further ado, and in no particular order, here are some Milwaukee weekend things to do:

-The Bucks make a grand re-entry with their first game of the season (yay!) at home against the Grizzlies (it’s officially a preseason game).

-The Chicago Blackhawks and the Minnesota Wild NHL hockey teams will be facing off in a Home-Away-From-Home preseason game at Fiserv Forum (go Blackhawks!!!).

-Family Free Day at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

-Jack-O’-Lantern Nights kicks off at the Racine Zoo and runs through October 30th (admission helps pay for animal chow at the Zoo…and it’s an awesome little zoo with a beautiful location right on the Lake Michigan shore).

-China Lights continues its fantastic nighttime revelry at the Boerner Botanical Gardens (through October 30th).

-The Milwaukee Domes continues its Once Upon a Mum Fall Show (through Nov. 6th). Mum’s the word?

-Cider Sunday at the Wehr Nature Center.

-Sci-Fi Family Day at Discovery World.

-Haunted houses and corn mazes are opening up all over. How about The Hill Has Eyes in Franklin (way too scary for me!!! Disney’s Haunted Mansion is truly the most I can handle!!!)?

-Artrageous at the Oconomowoc Arts Center.

-Bay View Gallery Night.

-Fall Waukesha Art Crawl in Downtown Waukesha (I think you will be allowed to walk if you so desire…but don’t run).

-Pet Parade & Art Walk on Brady Street (maybe they’ll let you crawl through the art like in Waukesha?).

-MKE Fine Craft Studio Tour (multiple locations around Milwaukee County…you might not be able to crawl to each of the studios as they may be too far apart and crawling might take way too long…but maybe you can crawl through each studio once you get there?).

-Brewers are at home against the Marlins.

-Taste of Oktoberfest at the Pabst Mansion (and that’s kitty-korner to the Dental School right on Wisconsin Avenue).

-Oktoberfest wraps up its festing at the Bavarian Bierhaus (and this weekend will officially be October! Or is it Oktober???).

-Concerts: too many to mention!!!

-Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Festival.

-Soul Journey Sessions at Angelic Roots in Oak Creek.

-Racine Theater Guild wraps up its performances of Native Gardens.

-Carthage College Theater debuts Antigone with performances through October 8th.

-Alec Holcomb Classical Guitar Concert at UW Milwaukee’s Peck School of the Arts.

-Wisconsin Artists Club Show Series presents Cold Sweat & Brew City Horns at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center in Brookfield.

-Outdoor Movie Night at the Harley Davidson Museum featuring Lightyear (don’t know if there are any motorcycles in Lightyear?).

-Constellations of the Zodiac: Libra at the UW Milwaukee Manfred Olson Planetarium.

-Falls Patio Players presents the Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 at Menomonee Falls North Middle School (comedic murders??? Only in the building???).

-Milwaukee Repertory Theater continues its performances of Unforgettable (the music of Nat King Cole) with John-Mark McGaha (through November 6th).

-Milwaukee Repertory Theater continues its performances of Titanic (through October 23rd). Umm…does the ship still sink at the end?

-Milwaukee Repertory Theater debuts Wife of a Salesman with performances through November 6th.

-Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra presents Alpine Glory.

-Next Act Theater presents Kill Move Paradise (through November 6th).

-Skylight Theater continues its performances of Mama Mia (through October 16th).

-The Milwaukee Public Museum’s narwhal exhibit continues its run through October 9th. And did I hear that narwhals have a really big and special tooth (yes, this question is getting really old)?

-The Posters of Jules Chéret at the Milwaukee Art Museum continues its run through October 16th.

-Yoga on the Terrace continues at Villa Terrace (every Sunday).

-Apple Orchard? How about Elegant Farmer In Mukwonago?

-Hike? If you’re at Elegant Farmer how about driving a few miles northwest to the (beautiful) Scuppernong Trails in the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest?

Whew. Yep. Lots of Milwaukee stuff!!!

And there you have it. Please, please, please enjoy your Weekend. And please take care of yourself and your friends. Get out and enjoy all the good that life has to offer. And always know that being still and quiet and relaxing and renewing is ALWAYS an outstanding accomplishment.

Best regards and I’m hoping to see you around town (I’ll be in a mask😷).

Doc

Mornin’ All,

Happy Friday, Happy (almost) Weekend, and Happy End of the Week!😃

Well, it feels like Fall has made a (welcomed) appearance. Crisp, cool weather that invigorates my soul. Crisp, cool weather that makes me want to get outdoors and live life. Crisp, cool weather that makes the Dane in me want to break out the wool socks and candles and settle into a wonderful season of Hygge (I am a massive believer in and practitioner of Hygge).

And just when I think that weekend activities might be winding down in Milwaukee? Nope! Not even close! So much to do (and so much gorgeous weather)!😃

So without further ado, and in no particular order:

-The Milwaukee Domes debuts its Once Upon a Mum Fall Show and runs through Nov. 6th.

-Doors Open Milwaukee runs all weekend and is all about outstanding (and rare) opportunities to tour historic buildings, gardens, theaters, churches, etc., etc., etc. throughout Milwaukee (and it’s mostly free).

-China Lights continues its fantastic nighttime revelry at the Boerner Botanical Gardens (through October 30th).

-Pet Fest at the Summerfest Grounds (yeah, let’s be honest, it’s mostly about dogs…my cats do not approve…me cats be wantin’ a little mewtiny).

-Harvest Fair at State Fair Park (and it’s free). Anyone for some pumpkin bowling and pumpkin cream puffs (ooh, me…oh, wait…gluten…oh crap)?

-Southside Dining Week continues (on a weekend?).

-Oktoberfest at the Bavarian Bierhaus debuts its version of Oktober festing (in September?).

-Black Owned Autumn Marketplace at the Deer District.

-Milwaukee Harbor Fest at the UWM School of Freshwater Sciences in the Harbor District. There will even be a blessing and release of baby sturgeon!

-Milwaukee Riverkeeper Boat Parade (in conjunction with Milwaukee Harbor Fest). So I heard that the floats in this boat parade really do float (cuz they’re boats)!😜

-Squeak Fest at Clock Shadow Creamery featuring all things cheese and cheese curds (squeaky curds???). If you’ve never had a squeaky curd…well, you really need a squeaky curd!😊

-Mac & Cheese Fest at Wisconsin Brewing Company Park in Oconomowoc.

-Hispanic Heritage Month Movie Night at the Oriental Theater featuring Selena.

-STEM Day at Discovery World Museum featuring Hispanic-American STEM professionals.

-Dancing Under the Stars at the UWM Planetarium to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month.

-Festa Italiana at the Italian Community Center.

-Milwaukee Comic Con at State Fair Park.

-Occasional Artist Show at North Point Lighthouse (are the artists occasionally artists or is there occasionally some kind of an art show?).

-Healing Henna Tattoo Session and Gong Bath/Sound Meditation at Angelic Roots in Oak Creek.

-Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra performs the music of Led Zeppelin (but not with Led Zeppelin).

-Skylight Theater performs Mama Mia (yep, complete with songs from ABBA…but not Led Zeppelin)

-Sunset Playhouse wraps up its performances of Spitfire Grill.

-Milwaukee Repertory Theater continues its performances of Unforgettable (the music of Nat King Cole) with John-Mark McGaha (through November 6th).

-Milwaukee Repertory Theater is also debuting Titanic (performing now through October 23rd).

-Interchange Theater Co-Op wraps up its performances of A Night in November (performing on nights in September…until the 25th to be exact).

-Racine Theater Guild continues its performances of Native Gardens (through October 2nd).

-J.R.R. Tolkien’s (yes, the Lord of the Rings writer) “The Art of the Manuscript” continues its run at Marquette’s very own Haggerty Museum of Art (the Haggerty is a campus gem IMHO).

-The Milwaukee Public Museum’s narwhal exhibit continues its run through October 9th. And did I hear that narwhals have a really big and special tooth (yes, this question is getting really old)?

-The Posters of Jules Chéret at the Milwaukee Art Museum continues its run through October 16th.

-Yoga on the Terrace continues at Villa Terrace (every Sunday).

-Apple Orchard? How about Patterson’s Orchard in New Berlin? Apple cider donuts, caramel apples, popcorn, cider, and maybe even…apples.😊

-Hike? If you’re at Patterson’s in New Berlin how about driving a few miles west to Waukesha County’s Minooka Park?

Whew. Yep. Lots of stuff!!! And, per usual, there’s so much stuff again that my finger hurts from typing (I’m typing on my iPhone…maybe someday I’ll use a real keyboard?). But I am still so happy to still be writing and sharing the Happy Note. I’m still here. I’m still who I’ve always been. And I’m still doing what I’ve always done (I don’t need to be the Faculty Adviser of the MUSOD Mental Health and Wellness Committee to be who I am and do what I do). Thank you so much for reading the Happy Note. I hope it made you happy.😊

And there you have it. Please, please, please enjoy your Weekend. And please take care of yourself and your friends. Get out and enjoy all the good that life has to offer. And always know that being still and quiet and relaxing and renewing is ALWAYS an outstanding accomplishment.

Best regards and I’m hoping to see you around town.

Doc

Mornin’ All,

Happy Friday, Happy (almost) Weekend, and Happy End of the Week!😃

Well, here’s my first Happy Note totally contained within my blog…with a convenience link through Facebook (but no email distribution through a particular school some of we may know…). My first Happy Note since relinquishing my duties as Faculty Adviser for MUSOD’s Mental Health and Wellness Committee. Saying goodbye to the committee made me really sad (and maybe even a little mad…nope, really mad). But times change. Situations change. People in our orbit can and DO change. I do believe, though, that being aware of forces beyond our control can help us find pathways to wellness and happiness. And though I may not be in my previous “position” I’m still very much me and still doing everything I’ve always done (but maybe in a slightly different way). Like this Happy Note. I started the Happy Note as (hopefully) a little way to bring people to a place of joy. A little way to let people know that life is happening and there are so many ways, small and big, to jump into living life. It’s encouragement to make and take some quality time for ourselves. It’s a little bit about good stuff going on around us. It’s about getting out there and living life. It’s about renewal and re-creation and reconnecting. And though the Happy Note may not be the same (well, maybe how we access it has changed), the Happy Note endures (and that makes me happy).😊

Enough of my self indulgent…blah, blah, blah. What’s going on around Milwaukee this weekend? LOTS OF STUFF!!! Hold on tight cuz this is a BIG Happy Note (and why not). And so without further ado, and in no particular order:

-China Lights finally returns!!! After a two year COVID hiatus (good riddance COVID) China Lights makes its triumphant return with Adventures in Lantern Wonderland (Alice and the Cheshire Cat may be there…a whole lot!)!!! At the beautiful Boerner Botanical Gardens now until October 30th. BTW, it gets CRAZY BUSY (get there early). Shuttle buses run to and from remote parking lots.

-LOTS of concerts including but not limited to Panic! At the Disco at Fiserv (wouldn’t it technically be Panic! At the Fiserv???).

-Apple Harvest Festival at Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha ($10 per carload so go with A LOT of friends in one car). I hear that the Delafield Brew Haus will be there selling…apple cider (NO, BEER, you silly!).

-Cedarburg Wine and Harvest Fest (and it’s free…unless you want wine…and who doesn’t want wine???).

-Uncorked: Milwaukee Wine Fest at the Deer District (kinda ridiculously expensive…but I don’t wanna tell you how to spend your money…but I know that would probably be “good” wine wasted on the likes of me…give me a box and I’ll be happy).

-Jurassic Quest at State Fair Park (not free…and I heard that the Dinosaurs aren’t real???).

-Richfield Historical Society Thresheree and Harvest Festival (and it’s free).

-Angelic Roots in Oak Creek presents Working With Healing Crystals.

-North Shore Bank’s Southside Dining Week kicks off (on a weekend).

-South Milwaukee Open Doors (mostly free).

-Dog Days at the Lynden Sculpture Garden (free…as far as I can tell).

-Fall Bayshore Art Festival (and it’s free).

-Holy Hill Arts & Crafts Fest (and it’s free).

-Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off at the Deer District (and it’s free…I think).

-Barktoberfest at Estabrook Beer Garden (and it’s free…unless you want beer…and who doesn’t want beer??? Even gluten free people want beer…we just can’t drink it).

-Bay View Bash (in Bay View…and it’s free).

-BBQ & Blues at Motor at the Harley Davidson Museum.

-Bug Day at the Wehr Nature Center (free…other than parking).

-Briggs & Al’s Run (conveniently starts on Marquette’s campus).

-Milwaukee Makers Mart at Discovery World.

-Lucha Libre at Potawatomi.

-Awkward Nerd Book Fair at the Cooperage (sounds like something made just for me😊).

-Hill Bill: Volume 2 at the Rock Ski Hill in Franklin.

-Milwaukee Bike-In Movie Series in Swing Park.

-Interchange Theater Co-Op continues its performances of A Night in November (performed on nights in September…until the 25th to be exact).

-Brewers are at home against the Yankees (free…on TV).

-Racine Theater Guild performs Native Gardens now through October 2nd.

-The Milwaukee Repertory Theater continues its performances of Unforgettable (the music of Nat King Cole) featuring John-Mark McGaha (runs through November 6th).

-The Sunset Playhouse continues its performances of Spitfire Grill (through Sept. 25th).

-J.R.R. Tolkien’s (yes, the Lord of the Rings writer) “The Art of the Manuscript” continues its run at Marquette’s very own Haggerty Museum of Art (the Haggerty is a campus gem IMHO).

-The Milwaukee Public Museum’s narwhal exhibit continues its run through October 9th. And did I hear that narwhals have a really big and special tooth (and is this question getting really old)?

-The Posters of Jules Chéret at the Milwaukee Art Museum continues its run through October 16th.

-Yoga on the Terrace continues at Villa Terrace (every Sunday).

-Apple Orchard? How about Brightonwoods Orchard near Burlington? It’s not a you-pick-it place. BUT…while you’re there stop at Aeppeltreow (yes, I did check my spelling) Winery & Distillery for a wee nip??? Who doesn’t like wine and perry and cider (umm…that be hard cider) and whiskey???

-Hike? After visiting Brightonwoods (if you can still drive) how about heading a few miles south to Bong State Recreation Area (hard to believe it was to be an Air Force bomber base back in the day…remnants of the runway are still visible).

Wow! My fingers hurt from typing (I’m on my iPhone so I guess it really is just finger). But I am so happy to still be writing and sharing the Happy Note. I’m still here. I’m still who I’ve always been. And I’m still doing what I’ve always done (well, I am back in school as a student again so I guess I’ve added back even more of what I’ve always done???).

And there you have it. Please, please, please enjoy your Weekend. And please take care of yourself and your friends. Get out and enjoy all the good that life has to offer. And always know that being still and quiet and relaxing and renewing is ALWAYS an outstanding accomplishment.

Best regards and I’m hoping to see you around town.

Doc

Mornin’ All,

Happy Friday, Happy (almost) Weekend, and Happy End of a Short Week!😃

I’m writing this on Thursday night (I always write the Happy Note on Thursday nights after a week of research…yes I am an academic). The sun is going down. Light is dancing off the little frog pond in my backyard. My sandhill crane family (mom, dad, and baby) is lounging in my backyard. I just feel a wonderful peace and am so looking forward to a wonderful time of re-creation we call weekend.

Today’s Happy Note not quite as robust as Summer of 2022 Happy Notes? Heck no! No way! Not yet! Life is still happening big and large around Milwaukee! We recently said goodbye to Summer but we’re still livin’ life! So what’s going on this weekend post-Summer? A lot!!! So Doc, what’s happenin’ this weekend?!

Well…in no particular order:

-Taco Fest at the Summerfest Grounds (muy bueno!!!).

-Tosa Fest in the beautiful Wauwatosa Village.

-Kite Festival at Veterans Park.

-Harvest Arts and Crafts at Trimborn Farm (Whitnall Park).

-International Fest at Silver City.

-Mexican Independence Festival at UMOS.

-Fashion Fest MKE at the Yard (Bayshore).

-Bluegrass in the Park at Pulaski Park.

-The Great Riverwest Fall Rummage Sale (in…Riverwest).

-City of Greenfield Car Show at Konkel Park (in…Greenfield).

-Movie in the Garden in Milwaukee’s Garden District Neighborhood is featuring Disney’s Luca.

-Starving Artists (Art) Show at Mount Mary University (ahh, my beautiful new little school in Wauwatosa).

-Brewers are in town against the Reds.

-Concerts: more than I can mention!

-Downtown Dining Week continues…into the weekend (can it really be called “week” if it’s during the weekend???).

-Oktoberfest continues its run at the Bavarian Bierhaus.

-Interchange Theater Co-Op presents A Night in November (runs each weekend from now until September 25th…and it’s practically on Marquette’s Campus…and it’s cheap with your student ID).

-The Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents Unforgettable (the music of Nat King Cole) featuring John-Mark McGaha and runs through November 6th.

-The Sunset Playhouse presents Spitfire Grill now through Sept. 25th.

-J.R.R. Tolkien’s (yes, the Lord of the Rings writer) “The Art of the Manuscript” continues its run at Marquette’s very own Haggerty Museum of Art (the Haggerty is a campus gem IMHO).

-The Milwaukee Public Museum’s narwhal exhibit continues its run through October 9th. And did I hear that narwhals have a really big and special tooth (and is this question getting really old)?

-The Posters of Jules Chéret at the Milwaukee Art Museum continues its run through October 16th.

-Yoga on the Terrace continues at Villa Terrace (every Sunday).

-The Milwaukee Domes Faerie Garden Show comes to an end this weekend (Sunday) so they can get ready for their fabulous Fall Show (opens in two weeks???).

-Farmer’s Market? How about something completely different? How about an apple orchard? How about Awe’s Apple Orchard in Franklin? You can even pick your own apples. Oh, lest I forget, they have fabulous fresh apple cider donuts (damn, sometimes I just hate being gluten free).

-Hike? Well if you’re at Awe’s in Franklin how about heading over to the Boerner Botanical Gardens and pay a few bucks to hike around and see all the awesome China Lights lanterns going up (opens for nighttime viewing next weekend)?

-And the weather? BEAUTIFUL on Saturday. Maybe a little rain on Sunday. But hey, we never have bad weather, maybe just the wrong clothes (stole that saying from the Scottish…aye, I have a wee bit o’ Celt and Gael in me blood…kilt anyone?).

And there you have it. Please, please, please enjoy your Weekend. And please take care of yourself and your friends. Get out and enjoy all the good that life has to offer. And always know that being still and quiet and relaxing and renewing is ALWAYS an outstanding accomplishment.

Best regards and I’m hoping to see you around town.

Doc

Mornin’ All,

Happy Friday, Happy (almost) Weekend, and Happy (almost) Holiday Weekend (take Monday off…no, really, take Monday off)!!!😃

Well, it looks like the Summer of 2022 is starting to wane. Summer activities are (unfortunately) coming to an end. And, well, today’s Happy Note (and probably future Happy Notes) may not necessarily be as full of stuff as the Summer of 2022 Happy Notes (yeah, but I’ll always be full of it). Fear not! Gorgeous Fall days and nights (Fall is absolutely awesome in Wisconsin), Fall activities, and Fall Happy Notes are all on the horizon. But before we say goodbye to Summer let’s get out there and live it up in this last weekend of Summer!😃

So in no particular order:

-Last weekend for the Bristol Renaissance Faire (Booooo!Booooo!). Ticket prices were jacked up to $35 this weekend (yuck)! However, you can still get $24 tickets at Menards! And, and, if you’re at the Faire you might get to see Rico the Reconciler or…or…me in a kilt (that will either be worth the price of admission OR be enough to scare you away).

-Speaking of kilts, the Wisconsin Highland Games are happening this weekend at the Waukesha County Expo Center (bagpipes, men in kilts, cabers, and…HAGGIS!!!).

-Third Ward Art Festival (and it’s FREE).

-Shrekfest (yes, the lovable green ogre…fest) at Humboldt Park and other various locations.

-Oak Creek Lion’s Fest in Oak Creek (and it’s FREE).

-Laborfest at the Summerfest Grounds (and it’s FREE).

-Walworth County Fair in Elkhorn (and it’s REALLY big…it might be the biggest county fair in the state).

-Harley Davidson Hometown Rally at the Harley Davidson Museum Grounds (and it’s FREE). There just might be a motorcycle or two for you to look at.🤪

-Oktoberfest at Old Heidelberg Park kicks off this weekend with beer and pretzels and all kinds of nightmarish things for a gluten-free person (like me). Guess I’ll go for the music (and a glass of water)? Just call me the DD.

-Gallery Night at Gathering Place Brewing (and it’s FREE).

-Drum Circle at Angelic Roots in Oak Creek.

-J.R.R. Tolkien’s (yes, the Lord of the Rings writer) “The Art of the Manuscript” at Marquette’s very own Haggerty Museum of Art (the Haggerty is a campus gem IMHO).

-Friday Night Live in Waukesha is still on Friday night, still live, still in Waukesha, and is still free.

-The Milwaukee Public Museum’s narwhal exhibit continues its run through October 9th. And did I hear that narwhals have a really big and special tooth? Class of 2026, be prepared for a narwhal tooth dental anatomy quiz (just kidding…or am I?).

-The Posters of Jules Chéret at the Milwaukee Art Museum continues its run through October 16th.

-Yoga on the Terrace continues at Villa Terrace (every Sunday).

-The Milwaukee Domes Faerie Garden Show runs until September 11th.

-Farmer’s Market? How about Greendale again?

-Hike? Well, if you’re shopping at the Greendale Farmer’s Market how about driving a mile west to the Boerner Botanical Gardens and hike through all the China Lights lanterns. IMHO the lanterns are FABULOUS both day AND night and will officially open for nighttime viewing in a few weeks. Oh, and it’s only like $5 to hike through the gardens/lanterns during the day (nighttime viewing will be a little more expensive and ALOT more crowded).

And there you have it. Please, please, please enjoy your Holiday Weekend. And please take care of yourself and your friends. Get out and enjoy all the good that life has to offer. And always know that being still and quiet and relaxing and renewing is ALWAYS an outstanding accomplishment.

Best regards and I’m hoping to see you around town.

Doc

Mornin’ All,

Happy Friday, Happy (almost) Weekend, and Happy (almost) August Break!!!😃

We made it. And it’s been quite the journey. We’ve laughed. We’ve cried. We’ve rolled our eyes at my dumb jokes (and poor attempts at prose). And here we are on the…cusp…of needed time to get away, put ourselves back together, and reflect on what’s been and what may be ahead.

And what’s ahead this weekend? I’m feeling a fair weekend ahead. Just fair? No way! The Fairest of the Fair! The Wisconsin State Fair continues its epic run! Ah, the State Fair. A time for us to savor the wholesome goodness that is Wisconsin. Like breaded greasy deep fried cheese curds. What, not enough grease for you? Well, how about breaded greasy deep fried Oreos? Hmm, I think there might be breaded greasy deep fried…EVERYTHING…at the Wisconsin State Fair. Even more, that EVERYTHING might even be on a stick! Oh, and if you’re gluten intolerant I suggest you NOT have a cream puff (or two) thinking you might be OK and over it (nope!). Just sayin’.

More fair ideas you say? Well how about the Bristol Renaissance Faire? Ren Faire continues its summer run this weekend with Steampunk Weekend. So dress up like you’re a punk(?) and/or had too much steam(?) in your latte? Yeah, I’ll probably just stick with my pirate persona…Rico the Reconciler! Ahr!!!

Dragons anyone? How about dragons that look like boats (or is it boats that look like dragons)? Whatever it is it’s Dragon Boat Festival this weekend! Go and feel a sense of awe at an ancient and revered Chinese phenomenon (or just watch come crazy people paddling some crazy long boats that look like…dragons).

What else? Well, in no particular order:

-Bronzeville Week continues its run in several different locations.

-Hop Summer Nights (live Jazz and popsicles…on the Hop streetcar???).

-Milwaukee Black Theater Festival.

-Cedarburg Summer Sounds presents Here Come the Mummies (make sure to bring your Freak Flag cuz “we’re not here to judge ya, we’re just here to love ya”). OK, I might have a thing for Here Come the Mummies!

-Center Street Daze.

-Morning Glory Art Fair at the Deer District.

-Jewish Food Festival (ooh, pastrami on rye…umm, gluten-free rye that is).

-Bayshore Sounds of Summer presents MilBillies.

-Waukesha Rotary Blues Fest at Naga-Waukee Park in Delafield.

-Milky Way Drive In Theater returns to Franklin Field in…Franklin (and the mosquitoes haven’t gotten any better but the Umbrella Bar is still cool as ever).

-Starry Nights at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center presents an Irish Fest Sampler with Shane Hennessy. Plus, the Center’s ongoing Guitar Fest presents the bluesy Tab Benoit.

-The Lakeshore Chinooks wrap up their regular season at home on Saturday night.

-Sunset Playhouse presents Newsies.

-Lakeside at MAM (free art/music/yoga outdoors at the Milwaukee Art Museum).

-Friday Night Live in Waukesha is still on Friday night, still live, still in Waukesha, and is still free.

-The Milwaukee Public Museum’s narwhal exhibit continues its run through October 9th. And did I hear that narwhals have a funky tooth?

-The Posters of Jules Chéret at the Milwaukee Art Museum continues its run through October 16th.

-Yoga on the Terrace continues at Villa Terrace (every Sunday).

-The Milwaukee Domes Faerie Garden Show runs until September 11th.

-Farmer’s Market? How about Madison all around the Capitol? It might just be one of the awesomest farmer’s markets (IMHO)!

-Hike? How about down Madison’s State Street over to the awesome UW (that’s University of Wisconsin) Campus then on to the Union for a brat (on a gluten-free bun) on beautiful Lake Mendota? It’s all adjacent to Madison’s awesome farmer’s market.

And for those who may be in Milwaukee the entirety of Break? Next weekend is Irish Fest AND Milwaukee County Zoo’s A La Carte (lions and tigers and food, oh my!)

And there you have it. Please, please, please enjoy your August Break. And please take care of yourself and your friends. Get out and enjoy all the good that life has to offer. And always know that being still and quiet and relaxing and renewing is ALWAYS an outstanding accomplishment.

Best regards and I’m hoping to see you around town.

Doc

Hello All,

It’s the end of a really tough week. And in true end-of-the-week fashion it’s time for a little Happy Note (on a Thursday…more on that in a bit). But this one was really hard to write. I debated if I should even write it at all. Well, a whole lot of good folks encouraged me to write. So here we are. The Happy Note for 8/4/22.

And what’s the Happy Note all about? It’s encouragement to make and take some quality time for ourselves. It’s a little bit about good stuff going on around us. It’s about getting out there and living life. It’s about renewal and re-creation and reconnecting. If ever there were a time to make and take a little time for ourselves it’s now. And even better, how about spending that time we make for ourselves within the embrace of others? Togetherness can sometimes lead to strength that we can not arrive at by ourselves. However you decide to use your time, be it alone or with others or a combination of the two, may this be a weekend of healing.

And so why am I writing and sending this on a Thursday? Because MUSOD’s own Jordan Kroeger and his Chicken Wire Empire is playing a FREE gig at the beautiful Boerner Botanical Gardens tonight!!! I am going to do everything I can to be there and I would love to see the MUSOD family out there enjoying an awesome night of music featuring one of our own!!!

And without further ado here are a few other things going on around Milwaukee this weekend (with minimal goofy commentary)…

-State Fair

-Pirate Weekend at the Bristol Renaissance Faire

-Black Arts Fest at the Summerfest grounds

-Waukesha Art Crawl

-Gallery Night at Gathering Place Brewing

-Firefly Art Fair in Wauwatosa

-Urban Ecology Center: Yoga and Climb

-Bronzeville Week kicks off

-Brewtown Rumble Vintage Motorcycle Show at the Deer District

-Brick Bar at Enlightened Brewing (a LEGO themed traveling bar where there will be over a million LEGO bricks for building whatever you wish)

-Big Concerts: Luke Bryan’s Raised Up Right Tour at the Summerfest grounds; Brandi Carlisle at Fiserv Forum

-Kenosha Kingfish, Lakeshore Chinooks, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Milwaukee Milkmen have some home games

-Shakespeare in the Park at Washington Park and the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts

-Friday Night Live in Waukesha

-Bayshore Sounds of Summer presents The Toys

-Starry Nights at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center presents De La Buena

-The Milwaukee Public Museum’s narwhal exhibit continues its run through October 9th

-The Posters of Jules Chéret at the Milwaukee Art Museum continues its run through October 16th

-Yoga on the Terrace continues at Villa Terrace (every Sunday)

-The Milwaukee Domes Faerie Garden Show runs until September 11th

-Farmer’s Market? How about Waukesha?

-Hike? How about after shopping at the Waukesha Farmer’s Market you drive just a little farther west to Lapham Peak State Park? Beautiful views from a huge climbing tower.

And now please have a GREAT weekend. And please take care of yourself and your friends. Get out and enjoy all the good that life has to offer. And always know that being still and quiet and relaxing and renewing is ALWAYS an outstanding accomplishment.

Best regards and I’m hoping to see you around town.

Doc

Mornin’ All,

Happy Friday and Happy (almost) Weekend!!!😃

Another BIG weekend. We could say it’s even a…FAIR…weekend. Just fair? No way! I mean like…FAIR! Like festival FAIR! Like havin’ fun FAIR! So let’s…FLY…right into it!😃

-Fly? Heck yeah! Experimental Aircraft Association Airventure Fly-In in Oshkosh. THE BIGGEST airplane FAIR. Like the Oshkosh airport becomes the BUSIEST airport on the face of the planet kind of BIGGEST!

-More FAIR? How about the Washington County Fair?

-More FAIR yet? How about the Racine County Fair?

-Even more FAIR yet? The Bristol Renaissance Faire continues its fair and festive…fairing(?)…every weekend through Labor Day.

-How about a FEST kind of FAIR? German Fest rolls out the barrel all weekend at the Summerfest grounds. I heard there might be some…beer…and even some interesting…shorts(?)…in abundance. Leather shorts. Leather shorts with suspenders. Lederhosen! Maybe even a dirndl or two!

What else? Well, in no particular order:

-Milwaukee Brew Fest at McKinley Park.

-Cedarburg Summer Sounds presents Sun Stereo (and it’s free).

-Waukesha Dog Show.

-Weird Fest at MobCraft Beer.

-Brady Street Festival (and it’s free).

-Granville Blues Fest continues (and it’s free).

-Milky Way Drive-In Theater returns (and have I ever mentioned that there’s an awesome bar there called The Umbrella?).

-Taste of Lake Country in Pewaukee.

-Taste of Wisconsin in Kenosha.

-Lebanese Festival at Saint Sebastian in Sturtevant.

-South Milwaukee Heritage Days Parade.

-Lakeside at MAM (free art/music/yoga outdoors at the Milwaukee Art Museum).

-Starry Nights at Sharon Lynne Wilson Center in Brookfield presents Calypso Steel Pans and Bronzeville Jazz.

-Live! @ the AMP in Greenfield’s Konkel Park presents Remington’s Ride and the Liam Ford Band (and it’s free).

-Bayshore Sounds of Summer presents Love Monkeys (and it’s free).

-Kenosha Kingfish and Lakeshore Chinooks play a few home games.

-The UW Milwaukee Community Orchestra performs at the Helene Zelazo Center.

-The Milwaukee Public Museum’s narwhal exhibit continues its run through October 9th. And have I ever mentioned that narwhals have a VERY special tooth??? Hmm???

-The Racine Theater Guild ends its performances of Stephen Sondheim’s beloved Into the Woods (thankfully).

-Friday Night Live in Waukesha is still on Friday night, still live, still in Waukesha, and is still free.

-The Posters of Jules Chéret at the Milwaukee Art Museum continues its run through October 16th.

-Yoga on the Terrace continues at Villa Terrace (every Sunday).

-The Milwaukee Domes Faerie Garden Show runs until September 11th.

-Hike? How about the beautiful Boerner Botanical Gardens?

-Farmer’s Market? How about West Allis (it’s HUGE!!!)?

I’m out of breath from typing…again (I gotta get in shape or something…wait, I have a shape so does that count?).

And now please have a GREAT weekend. And please take care of yourself and your friends. Get out and enjoy all the good that life has to offer. And always know that being still and quiet and relaxing and renewing is ALWAYS an outstanding accomplishment.

Best regards and I’m hoping to see you around town.

Doc

Mornin’ All,

Happy THURSDAY and Happy (almost) Weekend!!!😃

I’m sending this Happy Note out today cuz I’m gonna be way too exhausted to write after ALL the awesome softball happening tonight!! Watch out students, I haven’t swung a bat in…15 years???

Big weekend on the horizon! And it’s one of those weekends when I know I’ll be lookin’ for my lost shaker of salt. Huh? Jimmy Buffett’s comin’ to town! Just like Santa, he comes around once a year…time to break out all your party gear!!!🌴🏄‍♂️🍹

But that’s not all so let’s get right to it. In no particular order…

-Jimmy Buffett’s at Alpine Valley this weekend!!! Oh, I guess I mentioned that already. Wait, did I mention that Jimmy Buffett’s coming to town?😊

-Milwaukee Air and Water Show (Blue Angels…oh HECK yeah!) around the McKinley Marina area on the lakefront. And depending on where you are you might get to see most of the show for free!

-Renaissance Faire continues its run in Bristol every Saturday and Sunday through Labor Day. With a student ID you can get $2 off a ticket purchased at the gate or you can get $4 off an advanced ticket purchased at Menards. That will certainly help pay for a giant turkey leg!

-Waukesha County Fair in…Waukesha. Chickens, bunnies, and cows, oh my!

-Milwaukee Brewers play a couple of home games against the Colorado Rockies.

-Food Truck Fest at the Summerfest grounds. I heard there will be at least 20 food trucks?

-Hungry for pizza? How about pizza for a cause? Transfer (that’s a pizza place…an AWESOME pizza place) will make a donation to Second Hand Purrs Cat Shelter for every pizza ordered between now and the end of the month. BTW, I have adopted three absolutely awesome wonderful fur babies from Second Hand Purrs (good people doing great things for little fur friends needing loving homes).😺🐈

-Moth Party at the Urban Ecology Center. Moth party??? Yeah, tap in to your inner ecologist and help count moths (and you’ll probably turn into a meal for mosquitoes). Umm, I thought ecology was cool until I actually took an ecology class. Sitting in the woods counting whatever walks by is…umm…not my cup of tea. But it could be yours???

-Bayshore Sounds of Summer continues its run this Friday and features Rebel Grace. And it’s still free!

-The Kenosha Kingfish are playing a couple of home games this weekend in…Kenosha.

-Jersey Boys (yep, the musical) is playing several times at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.

-Cedarburg Summer Sounds is every Friday night through August 19th in…Cedarburg. This Friday features a performance by The Collection. Oh, and it’s free!

-The Milwaukee Public Museum’s narwhal exhibit continues its run through October 9th. And have I mentioned that narwhals have a VERY special tooth??? And did you know that their special tooth pokes right out of their foreheads?!! I’m referring that one out if it needs a root canal.

-The Racine Theater Guild continues its performances of Stephen Sondheim’s beloved (by whom?) Into the Woods (very scary and very weird and don’t say I didn’t warn you).

-The Lakeshore Chinooks play at home on Saturday night.

-The Sharon Lynne Wilson Center in Brookfield continues its Starry Nights concerts and features a performance from the Doo Woo Daddies.

-Art Gallery Night (and Day) at SEVERAL galleries around Downtown Milwaukee. And it’s free!

-The Milwaukee Milkmen play at home Friday and Saturday and I think there might even be fireworks after the game on Saturday.

-Friday Night Live in Waukesha is still on Friday night, still live, still in Waukesha, and is still free.

-The Racine Art Museum is presenting its sculpture weekend. Glass, clay, wood, mixed media, metal, wax, amalgam (umm…no), composite resin (another hard no), denture acrylic (enough already), etc.

-Granville Blues Fest (and it’s free).

-Farmer’s Market? How about Port Washington?

-Hike? After shopping at the Port Washington farmer’s market how about stopping by the incredible Lions Den Gorge right outside Port Washington? Oh, and it’s free!

-The Posters of Jules Chéret at the Milwaukee Art Museum continues its run through October 16th.

-Yoga on the Terrace continues at Villa Terrace (every Sunday).

-The Milwaukee Domes Faerie Garden Show runs until September 11th.

Milwaukee is boring, right? Oh HECK no! Milwaukee is awesome!! I’m exhausted from typing this all up cuz Milwaukee has so much stuff to do (and is totally awesome)!!!

So please have a GREAT weekend. And please take care of yourself and your friends. Get out and enjoy all the good that life has to offer. And always know that being still and quiet and relaxing and renewing is ALWAYS an outstanding accomplishment.

Best regards and I’m hoping to see you around town.

Doc