Every Friday, Stuff We Missed looks to other Milwaukee publications (and beyond) for, well, stuff we missed throughout the week.
• Every week is worse than the last. Every day is worse than the last. Hell, every hour is worse than the last. It doesn’t end, doesn’t seem to know how to end. “May you live in interesting times” sounds nice in theory, but in practice? Good god. Please make it stop.
Anyway, let’s get to what is undoubtedly the most shocking news of the week, Milwaukee or otherwise. Yes, we’re talking about East Side watering hole Vittuci’s, which closed last November and is reopening for one night only on Friday, October 2—a.k.a. tonight. From 5 to 8 p.m., the shuttered bar at 1832 E. North Ave. will play host to an indoor/outdoor Fall Festival, complete with a “limited drink menu and wood-fired pizzas by Flour Girl & Flame.” More pop-ups are possible in the future, but, according to Mike Vitucci, “We have no plans to reopen permanently at this point, and the building is still for sale.” [OnMilwaukee]
• A new Milwaukee radio station, 101.7 The Truth, will launch later this year. The station “will include local shows that discuss news and current events and celebrate Black culture. Programs will be created and curated by members of the Black community with a focus on a Black audience. Central themes will include empowerment, family, faith and community.” [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• Remember back in May, when President Trump randomly announced $40.9 million in federal funding for Milwaukee’s East-West Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line? Provided humanity doesn’t simply throw in the towel by then, the service is scheduled for 2022. [Milwaukee Magazine]
• In more bus news, Milwaukee County Transit System has some big route changes in the works. The so-called MCTS NEXT system will feature “high-frequency service along 60% of routes and regular, or low-frequency service on 40% of routes.” Urban Milwaukee notes that “the final product will be a system where bus service is concentrated on a number of high-frequency routes, with buses coming every 15 minutes or less, and faster travel times.” [Urban Milwaukee]
• NEW MAURICIO RAMIREZ MURAL!!! [Urban Milwaukee]
• NEW DOGS IN ECSTASY ALBUM!!!🚨🚨🚨 [Bandcamp]
• So long, Wahl Park; hello, Harriet Tubman Park. The Milwaukee County Board unanimously approved renaming the park at 4750 N. 48 St. in honor of the famed abolitionist. The park was formerly named for Christian Wahl, “a 19th century German immigrant and a major figure in the creation of Milwaukee’s parks system.” [Urban Milwaukee]
• Riverwest cafe Wonderland (732 E. Burleigh St.) is indeed wonderful. Riverwest cafe Wonderland has been closed since March. Riverwest cafe Wonderland has now reopened as a “fast casual carry-out friendly concept that operates with safety top of mind” called Wonderland a Go-Go. [OnMilwaukee]
• That hot dog place that has long been set to take over the old Moto-Scoot space at 1652 N. Water St. will finally open this fall, albeit in food truck form. [OnMilwaukee]
• Have a great weekend, Milwaukee!