Be MKE: Executive producer Giannis Antetokounmpo, budget cuts, Brady Street without cars?

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

In the wise words of Post Malone, this past week has got me "sayin', 'Wow.' " No, I will not be apologizing for how cringy that was.

As mentioned last week, I was super excited about seeing Posty at Fiserv Forum. Thursday marked his first time performing in Milwaukee.

"He made it worth the wait, giving fans everything he got — including actually giving one fan the shirt off his back," JS music and entertainment writer Piet Levy wrote in his review of the show.

100000% agreed, Piet.

Another "wow" moment from the past week: I experienced the China Lights lantern festival for the first time during a media preview for it. This year's theme is "Adventure in Lantern Wonderland," inspired by the "Alice in Wonderland" tale. The festival — at Boerner Botanical Gardens — runs through Oct. 30.

Here's an Instagram Reel I made about the 2022 event.

Let’s talk business

Imagine Brady Street without cars. The Brady Street Business Improvement District board has voted to pursue a study for "pedestrianizing" the street after a man was recently struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver. The district will work with the Department of Public works and other city officials "to ensure this study reviews all aspects of traffic impact and provides a variety of options," a Thursday announcement said. Any decision to close the street to cars and other vehicles would need approval from the Common Council and Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

Who has a picture at the Milwaukee Art Museum's iconic Quadracci Pavilion? (Yeah, I'm raising my hand, too). Last week, MAM architect Santiago Calatrava, who designed the pavilion, returned for its 20th anniversary. The project — which helped boost Calatrava's name internationally — consists of the cathedral-like Windhover Hall, prow-like feature jutting toward Lake Michigan, and movable wings that serve as a sunscreen, known as the Burke Brise Soleil. Calatrava's return was marked by a mayoral proclamation of Sept. 16 as a day to honor the architect.

A $7.5 million grant from Wells Fargo Bank will help more Milwaukee families of color become first-time homebuyers. The money is part of Wells Fargo's Wealth Opportunity Restored Through Homeownership (WORTH) initiative. Wells Fargo has committed $60 million nationally through the initiative to address systemic barriers to homeownership for people of color. Milwaukee is the second of eight markets across the country to receive the WORTH grant.

Out and about

Every once in a while, my family has a home movie marathon. One classic: Little me tap dancing while cheering on the Packers (In case you were wondering: No, I don't still do that). If your home movies are in need of a little TLC, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Archives and Film Studies program might be able to help you out. The program is hosting what it's calling Milwaukee's first Home Movie Day in partnership with the Center for Home Movies. People can bring in their home movies in a variety of formats, and UWM volunteers will inspect and, if needed, repair them. Some selections will be screened for an audience while the owner of the footage narrates. Admission is free. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 15 in Room B91 at Mitchell Hall, 3203 N. Downer Ave.

Marcus Theatres' CineLatino Film Festival has returned after a three-year absence — and this time, it coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month. The fest — running Oct. 5-9 —features 15 movies and a slew of events designed to celebrate Hispanic-directed, -written and -focused movies and culture. Here's what to know, from where the movies are showing to some of the fest's highlights. And for a full schedule, visit marcustheatres.com/CineLatino. A portion of the net proceeds from the festival is donated to local Hispanic health and education initiatives.

When the Milwaukee Repertory Theater staged "Titanic: The Musical" last season, breakthrough cases of COVID-19 among cast members forced the cancellation of 15 of the scheduled 49 shows. The Rep has brought the production back for performances through Oct. 23 at the Quadracci Powerhouse Theater, 108 E. Wells St. "We weren't finished telling the story," said Melissa Vartanian-Mikaelian, the Rep's managing director. She has a personal stake in this story. Vartanian-Mikaelian's great-grandfather, David (Davit) Vartanian, survived the Titanic sinking in 1912 and was reunited with his wife, Mary, 11 years later. For tickets, visit milwaukeerep.com or call 414-224-9490.

Yes, we already talked about Doors Open Milwaukee. And yes, we're going to talk about it again. As mentioned last week, people can visit more than 100 buildings and sites of architectural, historical and cultural interest this Saturday and Sunday. Here are a few places outside of downtown to check out during the event, which is presented by Historic Milwaukee Inc.

Don’t go hangry

A Milwaukee native who spent years in Texas has combined the flavors of both to create a new downtown eatery. MilTex Kitchen is located inside Paper Table Food Co., 733 N. Milwaukee St. The business features appetizers, burgers and sandwiches, Jacked Up Fries and eggrolls — all made from scratch. MilTex Kitchen is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Orders can be placed in-person, via the Grubhub, Doordash or UberEats delivery apps, or by calling 414-975-5324, according to the business' Facebook page.

The modernist café Discourse Coffee has opened a flagship location at 1020 N. Broadway. And as someone whose newsroom is right down the street, I'm pretty pumped. The café offers creative flavor combinations for hot and cold caffeinated drinks, pour-over coffee and espresso drinks. Its seasonal drinks menu will change monthly, starting in November. The food menu will be brief to start. Discourse also has a location at Crossroads Collective food hall, 2238 N. Farwell Ave., and a residency through Dec. 31 at the Milwaukee Art Museum's lakefront restaurant. The new operation is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

It's almost time to say "do widzenia" to Polonez, the longtime Polish restaurant in St. Francis, the last of its kind in the Milwaukee area. "For sure, I’m going to be missing my customers," some of whom are like family, owner George Burzynski said. But, he joked, "they want to kill me right now." The restaurant's tables are completely booked through closing day, the website says. To simplify meeting the demand, the restaurant has been serving a collection of its greatest hits, buffet style, Thursdays to Saturdays. That includes cucumber and potato salads; trays of pierogi; potato pancakes and applesauce; pork cutlets; Polish sausages; stuffed cabbage; hunter's stew; and more. On Sunday, it's brunch. Sept. 25 is the restaurant's last day for dine-in customers; it's selling soup orders to go on Sept. 27 and 28,  but they must be placed in advance by email, polonezrestaurant@gmail.com. The supply is limited.

I know we're not even close to Halloween yet, but ... after a two-year break, THE JOURNAL SENTINEL'S HOLIDAY COOKIE CONTEST IS BACK. Readers are being asked to submit their cookie recipes by email. Then a select number will be chosen and tested and then judged at the end of October. There will be three categories: Candy Inspirations, Slice ‘n’ Bake and Open Class. Here's everything you need to know, from rules and procedures to prize info.

Here are the talkers

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson's first proposed city budget, released Monday, calls for a 1% reduction in sworn police officers, the elimination of two fire engines and substantial cuts in the hours and programming at five of the city's 12 neighborhood libraries. "It's not that we don't want to fund them. It's that we don't have the resources to fund them or the resources to generate the revenue ourselves to fund them," Johnson told the Journal Sentinel.

Milwaukee County Medical Examiner Brian Peterson retired Monday, effective immediately, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said in a statement. "On behalf of Milwaukee County, I offer my deepest gratitude to Dr. Peterson for his many years of work and service," the statement said. "I wish him and his family a healthy and fulfilling retirement." Deputy Medical Examiner Wieslawa Tlomak will now serve as interim Milwaukee County Medical Examiner.

Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Milwaukee on Thursday, just under two months before the November midterm elections. During the trip, Harris plans to "engage with young Americans" and meet with local Latino leaders, according to a White House official. The VP will also deliver remarks at the Democratic Attorneys General Association Conference.

What can't Giannis Antetokounmpo do? No, really. Anyone know? National Geographic announced that the Milwaukee Bucks star has signed on as an executive producer for "The Flagmakers." It's a new short documentary on Oak Creek's Eder Flag and its workers, many of whom are immigrants. Entertainment site Deadline.com says the doc is expected to be a strong Academy Awards contender.

Be MKE,

Hannah

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To see what I'm up to around the city, follow me on Instagram @hannahhopekirby. Always keeping it pretty profesh over on Twitter @hannahhopekirby. Be MKE love or comments can be sent to hannah.kirby@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Be MKE: Exec. producer Giannis, budget cuts, Brady Street minus cars?