Maple & Main

This past Saturday’s crummy weather didn’t do any favors for the first annual Acoustic Music Festival.

A heavy mid-morning rain followed by periodic afternoon sprinkles seemed to keep a lot of the crowds away. At its peak attendance I saw maybe 25 people gathered in the clock tower lot to hear the musicians play.

It’s unfortunate because the festival had good intentions. The musicians were trying to raise funds for the future Les Paul exhibit.

Even though crowds and good weather may have been lacking, there was one thing these musicians had plenty of- they had heart.

While the rain poured down, they continued to perform, as if oblivious to the worsening weather. Every hour another musician would get on stage and execute genuine acoustic music that filled the air and helped you forget the foul weather.

It was incredible.

While three people stood in the rain and listened, the musicians played like there were a thousand screaming fans.

And maybe some of the music wasn’t perfect, maybe a note was missed every once in while, and perhaps the music wasn’t everyone’s taste. But, without a doubt, these musicians came and did what they do best, and they shined brightly through the dismal day.

Congratulations to those who put it all together and made it happen. Perhaps they learned a thing or two from the first-ever Acoustic Music Fest and I am sure next year’s will be real treat.

Although Acoustic Fest is over and done, the dauntless purpose those musicians displayed will not soon be forgotten.

Les would have been proud.

If you don’t know it by now, my wife and I own and operate an art school in Downtown Waukesha.

We teach art to all ages; however, most of our students are between the ages of 6 and 12.

In a week’s time, we teach a variety of kids of this age. They never cease to amaze us, and I’m not just talking about their artistic skill. I’m talking about some of the incredible questions the kids will ask.

In the two years I have operated this school, I have heard some good ones, and this week was no exception.

The following question comes from one of our students- a boy, age 11 (he was painting a picture of a woodpecker at the time):
“Did Noah have woodpeckers on the Ark? He should have, right? And if he did, how did he keep them from pecking holes in the boat?”

And I thought teaching art was a challenge.

After racking my brain, I told him Noah must have put corks on their beaks. We had a good chuckle about the idea and I smiled to myself smugly, thinking I had successfully dodged another inquisition.

“What about lions? He had to have lions, too. How did he keep them away from the antelopes? And the dogs away from the cats? And where do you think he kept the skunks?”

My answer- on the deck, I guess. That’s where I would keep skunks. Or tow them behind the ark in a dingy. I really don’t know. However, kids expect adults to have all the answers because- we’re adults and we should know this stuff.

The only way out of this paradox is to remind the kids that they need to concentrate on their art; and back to work they will go- for a little while- until the questions start again.

This goes on every week. Some of the questions are cute, some are funny, and some provoke intelligent conversation. Overall, it’s always entertaining.

In the end, working with these kids has meant more to my life than I ever could have imagined and I am truly fortunate to have the opportunity. Kids aren’t always easy; as I am sure those of you with kids can contest to. But the good times always seem to outweigh the bad.

On that note, I leave you with this, a question from a six-year old student:

“When we get to heaven, will we be able to see our backs?”

I welcome some suggestions on that one.

Easy come, easy go.

As quick as the smoking ban began, it seems to have disappeared.

For now.

Before I continue, I want to get something straight. The smoking ban wasn’t around long enough for me to make a choice as to whether or not I would support it.

As a matter of fact, a smoking ban doesn’t affect my business in the least. However, I am well aware it may have had adverse affects on others.

With that out of the way, let’s move on to the subject at hand. I am more intrigued by the 30 people that showed up at the common council meeting to display their displeasure with the ban.

Hats off to those 30 people for getting together and making something happen in this city. You guys did it! By coming together you abolished the ban. Congratulations!

Alderman Tortomasi was quoted as asking why no proponents of the ban were at the common council meeting.

It’s simple. Those opposed to the ban were paying more attention. Those opposed gathered together and met on the subject. And those opposed were solicited by an insider to be at the meeting.

Tortomasi and the smoking ban never had a chance.

So, instead of discussing the subject further, hearing both sides of the story, and coming to an agreement that worked for everyone, the ban was simply extinguished.

Thirty people won’t get together to discuss Waukesha’s water issues. Thirty people won’t gather to address the City’s growing safety concerns. Thirty people won’t discuss dog runs in the city parks. But threaten to ban smoking, and Waukesha citizens rise to the occasion with guns drawn.

This puts a lot of things into perspective.

In closing, I want to congratulate those thirty people for making a difference. However, I know those 30 had help. Big help.

And with that said, I lost a lot of respect, today, for someone I used to admire. I think that is what bothers me most. It’s not the ban, it’s not the loss of the ban, it’s the time that “Big Help” spent to abolish the ban. When there are greater concerns in this City to be addressed, “Big Help” is fighting a smoking ban.

Way to go.

It’s no big secret that Money Magazine has placed Waukesha as number 36 on the list of the top 100 best places to live in the United States.

However, I believe this weekend demonstrated to many that Waukesha is capable of much more. I feel good in saying we are on our way to number one.


Friday Night Live:

It all started Friday night. I have spoken in this blog before about how great Friday nights are downtown, with the fantastic live music and the people all around.

This Friday was no exception.

There were people everywhere, walking dogs, playing chess, enjoying coffee, and dancing in the streets. Live music saturated the downtown.

It was incredible.

Word on the street is many folks wish the bands could play a little longer. Maybe that can be considered for next year.


Art Crawl Saturday:

Saturday’s Art Crawl included some outstanding new additions to the usual list of good stuff the Crawl showcases.

For starters, the City finished installing the new “Welcome” banners along Main Street. They are an impressive sight and give the downtown streets a welcoming feel.

Other new accessories to the Art Crawl were the “Downtown Ambassadors”. This is a group of volunteers who stroll the streets in red vests during special events to assist the public with any general questions or concerns. The group includes our past mayor, Carol Lombardi (excellent choice) and these people were a first-class asset to the Crawl.

To top it all off, in addition to the usual merchant participants, there were a number of new galleries and shops open for the first time.


Some of the Highlights:

I bumped into Mayor Nelson leaving Martha Merrell’s Books with a beautiful painting in his hands. He had just purchased it at the “Wet Paint” auction held at the bookstore. It will be an exquisite addition to his office. The “Wet Paint” Auction was a stellar event. I’m looking forward to seeing it again next year.

The Fox Rivewalk Antique Mall was open for business- only 10 days after being hit by lightning and damaged by water. It could not have been an easy task for them to be open and operating in such a short amount of time. While most businesses are vacuuming and washing their windows in preparation for the Crawl, these people were fixing the roof and pumping floodwater out of their store. That’s remarkable!

In talking to people around town, I found an increased number of folks from places other than Waukesha. This included two first timers from as far away as Madison who had heard about the Crawl and were curious to experience it for themselves.
They said they weren’t disappointed. As a matter of fact, I think they were a little jealous.

All in all it was an impressive event. Downtown Waukesha was at it’s best and I really hope that kind of attitude continues.

Before I finish, I want to take a moment to extend an added thanks to a few people that made the event extra special:

-Terry and Kerry from the Steaming Cup- who stopped in to see our young artists at work in our studio. You guys made their day!

-The Lepeins for setting up their band and playing some excellent tunes on the far West end of Main. It brought a lot of people down our way and we really appreciated the crowd, as I am sure the Cork Art House and Waters Carpet did.

The next Art Crawl is scheduled for Saturday, October 7th, from 4PM to 10PM in downtown Waukesha. Mark it on your calendars folks, you shouldn’t miss it.

The heat must have gotten to me.

Over the weekend I used very poor judgment as my guide and I want to publicly apologize for it.

Why publicly? Because I believe it’s that important to both me and the other individual involved.

So, here it goes:

I am truly sorry, Eddie. I thought I knew how to cut a dog’s hair and I see now that I have made a gross miscalculation. I hope it grows back nicely.

Wow- do I feel better!

Now, please allow me to explain the events that brought upon this apology.

My dog, Eddie, needed a haircut something fierce. The hot weather was really taking a toll on him. I usually take him to a groomer, but she was booked weeks out. Ed’s hair couldn’t wait another 24 hours.

That’s when I decided to take matters into my own hands!

I mean seriously, how hard could it be? He’s a dog. A little trim here, a little there, and that’s it. Right?

I went out and purchased a trimmer. When I arrived home, I studied the handy “how to trim a dog” guidebook that came in the package.

Piece of cake!

It was at this time that Eddie began to act “cautiously”. I think he sensed impending doom. He made a break for under the bed; I was able to catch his back leg before he disappeared.

We proceeded out to the porch and began our grooming experience.

One hour later, I wasn’t really sure I had made the best decision. Ed, who is normally a really cute Fox Terrier, now looked like a wet gremlin. What he lacked in hair, I now made up for- I was covered with dog hair and it was sticking to my sweat. In hindsight I should have been standing up wind from him while trimming. It was a fiasco.

I have great confidence in saying to you all that I am NOT a dog groomer.

On a positive note, Ed is a lot cooler now; he just looks bad. But you know what’s nice? He doesn’t give me any flack about it. He is just as happy-go-lucky as always. I admire him for that.

So if you see Ed walking down the street, don’t be alarmed, he is not sick. The only thing he is suffering from is my stupidity.

All in all, it was an interesting experience. I learned a valuable lesson about myself, and I am glad I had the opportunity to share it with all of you.

Will I cut again? It goes against my best judgment, but I am sure I will.

I will wait too long to book him at the groomer and his hair will be at “emergency cutting level” and I will make the executive decision to handle it myself. Another factor in all of this- I have to get my dollar’s worth out of that trimmer I bought.

Sorry in advance, Ed.

The 42nd “Red Hot Art Crawl” is this Saturday in Downtown Waukesha. This “Crawl” will showcase a spattering of new galleries and stores as well as Waukesha’s first ever “Wet Paint” Festival.

Artists have been around the downtown area this week painting pictures of some of the local businesses. These pictures will be available for sale at the silent auction at Martha Merrel’s Books, 231 West Main Street from 4 to 8 PM, Saturday, August 5th.

The Art Crawl is always a good time. For more information log on to www.redhotartspot.com or stop in to any downtown business and pick up a flyer.

It runs from 4PM to 10PM, this Saturday, August 5th.

The 42nd “Red Hot Art Crawl” is this Saturday in Downtown Waukesha.

This “Crawl” will showcase a spattering of new galleries and stores as well as Waukesha’s first ever “Wet Paint” Festival.

Artists have been around the downtown area this week, braving the heat and painting pictures of some of the local businesses. These pictures will be available for sale at the silent auction at Martha Merrel’s Books, 231 West Main Street from 4 to 8 PM, Saturday night.

The Art Crawl is always a good time. For more information log on to www.redhotartspot.com or stop in to any downtown business and pick up a flyer. It runs from 4PM to 10PM, this Saturday, August 5th.