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The Menomonee Valley Comes to Life
Jesse Pliska, who bikes from his job on Canal Street to his home on the near South Side, stops to point out the great blue heron standing on a dry bank in the Menomonee River. Pliska knows just how close one can get to the heron—not very—before the big bird gets skittish and takes off.

JOHNNY THOMAS TRIAL TO BEGIN NEXT WEEK
Thomas chaired the county board’s Finance and Audit Committee, which approves vendor contracts. It is the chair’s prerogative to schedule committee meetings and votes. Farley wanted the contract approved involving Public Financial Management (PFM) and resorted to an unusual approach to get that approval.

The ‘Missing Evidence’ in Romney’s Tax Records
Harry Reid has provoked outrage among liberals as well as conservatives, who seem to believe he has violated propriety by repeating gossip about Mitt Romney’s taxes. The Senate leader says someone connected with Romney told him that the Republican candidate paid no income taxes for a period of 10 years.

Not Such a Bright Light
Within today’s right-wing, extremist Republican Party, what in the world is bold or risky about proposing to slash government spending that benefits the middle class and those in need in order to give even more eyepopping tax cuts to the wealthiest people in America?.

Heroes of the Week
Susan Bliffert joined her husband, Fred, in rehabilitating 64 acres of family-owned land in Newburg, Wis., from a summer home in disarray to an inspiring day camp for anyone with special needs and all people striving to improve themselves.

Issue of the Week
On the other hand, the choice makes no sense, since Romney and Ryan’s budget policies will alienate seniors, those under 55 who will see their Medicare benefits become “vouchers,” women, veterans, minorities, gays, students, low-income voters, independents and moderates—the 99%, if you will.

Thai Bar-B-Que Deservedly Popular
A photograph accompanies every item on the menu, which is extensive. There are more than 100 items to choose from—even more, actually, when you consider the different meat and vegetarian options that are available. The décor is not fancy, but it suits the food well, with gilded Thai woodcarvings and a collection of wooden dolls in traditional costume.

Tosa’s Eclectic North Avenue Grill
Open since April, the North Avenue Grill (7225 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa) brings high quality and 21st-century variety to a classic diner format. The lunch counter is lined with swivel stools and there are comfortable booths along the facing wall.

CALLING FOR PUBLIC ART
Then Flanagan’s funding ran out. This meant there was no longer an experienced art administrator involved. As a result, a well-intentioned engineer presented Zweig’s final design to the Common Council’s Public Works Committee.

This Week In Milwaukee
Each year Irish Fest spotlights a different element of Irish culture and music. This year, the spotlight falls on bluegrass music, with an exhibit from the International Bluegrass Music Museum and performances from artists such as mesmerizing Boston...

Film Clips
THE EXPENDABLES 2 R Sylvester Stallone co-writes another chapter featuring a group of over-the-hill action heroes intent on proving they’ve still got what it takes to defeat unstoppable villains. Jean-Claude Van Damme steps in as a European baddie plotting to wreak havoc by using 5 tons of plutonium stored in an abandoned Russian mine.

‘Bourne Legacy’ Stumbles Without Damon
Bourne without Jason Bourne? It sounds like a Bond movie without James Bond or a Sherlock Holmes tale starring the great detective’s public school headmaster.

Aliens, Time Travel Return to Alchemist Theatre
Considering the diversity of theater offerings, it’s surprising that certain genres don’t get more play on local stages. Science fiction may have its place on the big screen, but it’s rarely explored in Milwaukee theater. Last year, Vince Figueroa and Beth Lewinski worked to correct this oversight by offering Natalie Ryan and the Brain Thieves.

Heart and Humor in APT’s ‘Admirable’ Production
The tables turn when the household is marooned on a tropical island and Crichton’s skills and practicality force him into a leadership role. “Whatever is natural is right,” Crichton counsels, a nod that context, not capabilities, determines nature’s course.

Milwaukee Chamber Captures Complexity of ‘A Thousand Clowns’
Under the direction of Jonathan West, the cast deftly navigates the emotional complexity of the piece. Tom Klubertanz has a down-to-earth instability as Murray, an unemployed television writer going through an existential crisis—and trying to raise his 12-year-old nephew, Nick.

Theatre|Happenings
• The area’s theater season picks up soon, starting with the Milwaukee Rep’s.

Haggerty Exhibitions Explore Freedom in 2012
“Thenceforward, and Forever Free” presents seven contemporary artists—Laylah Ali, Willie Birch, Michael Ray Charles, Gary Simmons, Elisabeth Subrin, Mark Wagner and Kara Walker—who use diverse mediums such as installation, painting, printmaking and video to reflect on the impact freedom has on society.

Visual Art |Happenings
This third annual art festival combines an auction and a juried competition with plenty of food and fun noon-8 p.m. Aug. 17, 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. Aug. 18 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 19. For more information, visit www.milwaukeedomesartfestival.com.

Frequently Asked Questions About Neil Young
Dipping into the mire of fandom but never drowning in it, Boyd captures a distinctly cohesive account of Young’s chameleon artistic sensibility and bold stylistic ventures that sweep aside any attempt to categorize.

Agent Garbo: The Brilliant, Eccentric Secret Agent Who Tricked Hitler & Saved D-Day
Garbo was the code name for a World War II Spanish double agent who spied for the Nazis while actually helping the British. Journalist Stephan Talty isn’t the first to write about the operative whose greatest accomplishment was to mislead Germany about the Allies’ D-Day invasion plans.

Sean Chercover’s Thrilling ‘Trinity Game’
Sean Chercover, author of the Chicagobased thrillers Big City, Bad Blood and Trigger City, brings readers a new crime drama that mixes mystery and intrigue with unpredictable twists and fascinating plotlines. The Trinity Game, full of heart-pounding action and conspiracy, catapults readers into the arcane world of the Vatican.

DanceLAB’s ‘Art to Art’ Showcases Interart Collaborations
In a remarkable collaboration, choreographer Petr Zahradnicek from Milwaukee Ballet; dancers Rachel Malehorn, Isaac Sharratt and Parker Vos from Milwaukee Ballet; poet/playwright Chad Piechocki, director of the South Milwaukee Performing Arts...

THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE DOES BERLIN
“It’s really such a smart culture and kind of cool for me because it leaves me alone, but everything’s still here at the same time,” says Newcombe, speaking from his studio in the German capital. “The nature of the culture is just not really intrusive, so it’s nice to be able to focus.

My Morning Jacket w/ Band of Horses @ BMO Harris Pavilion
When reports emerged that a Summerfest side stage would be converted into a microamphitheater to host one-off musical performances throughout the summer, the concept didn’t seem daring so much as obvious.

Kane Place Record Club and the Art of Feeling Good
Milwaukee, like many other cities across the country, has seen a recent resurgence in acts that are captivated by the soul sounds of the 1960s.

MUSIC LISTINGS
Corpse w/Between The Buried And Me, Job For A Cowboy, Periphery, The Faceless, Goathore, Veil Of Maya, Exhumed & Cerebral Bore (all-ages, 2:30pm) Saloon on Calhoun,.

CD REVIEWS
Washington, D.C., has long had a funky live music scene, and Afropop has its place in the mix. Togolese expatriate Massama Dogo leads D.C.’s Elikeh with help from Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Toure and Dark Star Orchestra guitarist John Kadlecik. On Between 2 Worlds,.

A Film About a Family of Exterminators
I think the American Dream is different for different people. This film is about trying to hold on to what you already have—the simple dream of wanting to have a business, a family, and wanting to make a life for yourself. My film is about a family of exterminators, a very unusual idea of what the American Dream could be.

Ringing Down the Curtain
Frank: Not that NBC didn’t script what it could into all those previews and profiles, with the poignant music and slo-mo flashbacks. But you can’t script the winners’ comments as they’re still catching their breath—although a friend was lamenting the endless stream of “dream come true.

News of the Weird
Alleged drug dealer Jesus “Pepe” Fuentes, 37, was arrested in Chicago in May after his mother reportedly botched a heroin pickup for him. Fuentes, eager to catch a concert by the rapper Scarface, sent his mother to gather a 10-kilo drop instead of doing it himself.

Freewill Astrology
angel that divided in two before you were born. Personally, I don’t buy it. The experiences of everyone I’ve ever known suggest there are many possible soul mates for each of us. So here’s my variation on the idea: Any good intimate relationship generates an “angel”—a spirit that the two partners create together.

A Wolf in Veep’s Clothing
I’m Art Kumbalek and man oh man manischewitz what a world, ain’a? So listen, I’m here struggling with what to say about a silver-spooned guy from America’s Dairyland getting tagged to be the No.

Sexpress
how prevalent are male chastity devices among heterosexual partners? Tease and denial seems exciting, but are people really purchasing devices for long-term denial? What have you seen or heard?.