BE MKE

Be MKE: The new MilwaukeeHome owner, all the beer festivals and an academic freedom ruling

Sarah Hauer
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Be MKE July 11, 2018

Who we are. Where we go. What we need to know.

Milwaukee's best season is summer. Summerfest is over. But here's a few Milwaukee staples for you to do: 

The Night Market hosted by Newaukee is tonight from 5 to 10 p.m. They're taking over more downtown streets for this month's market so we all can go and still have room to breathe. Bastille Days start Thursday. And France is in the World Cup final. Allons-y! Speaking of the World Cup, here's where you can watch the last few games

The big deals this week: Meet the woman taking over MilwaukeeHome, all the beer festivals yet to come this summer and a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling about academic freedom. 

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Let's talk business

A guy on one of those Bird scooters passed me while I was running the other day. Besides hurting my ego, the scooters are illegal to ride. The city has filed a lawsuit against Bird and a hearing is Friday. The city wants the scooters removed immediately. 

There's a new woman behind MilwaukeeHome. The creator of the brand that has become an unofficial flag for the city is stepping aside and sold the business. I caught up with the new owner, Steph Davies to see how she'll continue on the brand we've all grown to love. Here's what she said the brand means to her: "You don't have to live here or be from here, it's about the connection you feel to Milwaukee."

Hemp isn't just for hippies. But I do still feel like a hippie when I put hemp seed in my smoothie. A former Milwaukee alderman has opened up 414 Hemp, a pop-up store at Mayfair Mall. The shop sells hemp-infused cookies, dog treats, lotions, vape pens, fruit snack and oils. 

Boozin'

A great thing about beer: No matter how many you try, there is always a new one. Here are 10 beer festivals to put on your calendar. I'm overwhelmed by all the possibilities. The first one on the list is Firkin Fest in Cathedral Square Park July 21. 

Don’t go hangry

Because there is no reason to be inside. Our dining critic has rounded up some new patios around Milwaukee this summer. Just a few to note are Stone Creek Coffee's Downer Cafe + Kitchen, Burnhearts and Engine Company No. 3. 

Food truck rally. Yeah, tell me more. The first Riverwest Food Truck Rally is Friday. The rally will have eight food trucks and then beers from Gathering Place, Black Husky Brewing, Company Brewing and Lakefront Brewing. The rally is at the Goat Palace starting at 5:30 p.m. 

Here are the talkers

Let's return to everyone's 2015 obsession: "Making a Murderer." The docu-series called into question the conviction of Steven Avery for a 2005 murder. A lawyer in Florida just watched the series. Not sure how he missed the initial MAM mania but he is now on a crusade to free Avery. This lawyer has a history of activism, mostly against violent video games. 

Here's a case that's been in the public eye just as long: Marquette University professor John McAdams' suspension after he called out a graduate student on his blog. McAdams said the suspension violated his academic freedom and free speech. The state supreme court ruled in his favor Friday. Fun fact: he was my American politics professor. I sat in the back row with all the lax bros. 

A correctional officer earned more than the governor last year. Bradley Thiede made $175,000 in 2017. How? He worked 95 hours a week and racked up a whole lot of overtime pay. He nearly tripled his base pay. Around 540 state workers made more than $20,000 in overtime last year because of low unemployment that makes it tough to staff prisons and healthcare facilities. 

My purebred mutt Nala is living her best life on my Instagram @HauerSarah. Keep up with my gif game on Twitter @SarahHauer. You can always go old school and send me an email at shauer@journalsentinel.com

Be MKE,

Sarah