Five-Alarm Issue
This morning, the fire alarm went off in the building that houses Milwaukee Magazine’s offices. My response was admittedly lackadaisical. First, I questioned whether it was real. Then, I gathered my things – slowly and reluctantly. Complaining about this inconvenient disruption of my day, I trudged outside, fully expecting to turn around quickly and head back to my desk in short order.
But that didn’t happen. Instead, I heard sirens approaching. I saw fire trucks heading to the other side of the building. I smelled smoke!
Tell us who you’d pick to be a Betty this year!
Fortunately, the fire was quickly contained, and the all-clear sign came within less than an hour. But the whole event drove home the importance of our firefighters. We rely on them to swoop in, primed to literally fight, all in an effort to protect our lives and our property.
It takes a special type of person to do this job. Archer Parquette’s profile of fire chief Aaron Lipski captures the passionate selflessness that motivates people in this line of work. The story also covers the long hours and other challenges our fire department faces. Read all about it starting on page 48.
Got milk? We certainly do! In “Milk” (page 36), we cover the topic from virtually every angle. There’s history, types of cows, advertising and how our state lost its place as the leader in milk production. We even sent our digital editor, Brianna Schubert on a mission to milk a cow. The last time I was this excited about milk, I was about 6 years old! Pour yourself a tall glass end enjoy.
Also in this issue is our annual Top Docs guide featuring over 900 doctors. I know that many of you, like myself, make use of these listings to help find health professionals all year long.
All of the above is in addition to our regular coverage of things to do, places to go and people to know. Chelsea Mamerow, our art director, told me that her father-in-law said that if he doesn’t read Milwaukee Magazine as soon as it arrives, he’ll miss so much of what’s happening that month in our city. I totally agree. So here is the May issue – read it while it’s hot!
– Carole Nicksin, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher
carole@milwaukeemag.com, @CaroleNicksin
In the Issue
Features
- Milk: How many cows are there in Wisconsin? Is dairy or almond milk better for the planet? How early do farmers have to wake up? Answers to these questions and many more you didn’t know you had lie inside our investigation of Wisconsin’s official beverage.
- Baptism of Fire: For four generations, Aaron Lipski’s family has been putting out fires in Milwaukee. As MFD chief in trying times, he’s now facing both literal and metaphorical ones.
- A Primary Problem: For many of us, it’s harder than ever to find a primary care doctor. Here’s why – and what you can do.
- Top Doctors 2024: A directory of hundreds of the top physicians in the Milwaukee area, as selected by their peers.
Your 414
- Live Music: Colors swirl and lights twirl at Milwaukee Psych Fest.
- People Places Things: Villa Terrace looks ahead during its centennial, the Milwaukee Art Museum’s new experience maker has big plans for the local institution, a soaring prog-pop trio drops an album, and more.
- Art: A retrospective examines a local artist’s penchant for painting crowds.
- My Style: Fashion student Sabrina Lombardo expresses her heritage with eye-catching creativity.
- We Were Wondering: Where did “FIB,” the vulgar term for our southern neighbors, come from?
The Dish
- Snack: An ode to that glorious Polish dumpling, the pierogi
- Tidbits: The area’s first and only Yemeni cafe, farm dinners in the city, Movida’s rooftop bar and more
- Review: Do Maria’s and Lisa’s pizzerias, both with new owners, stand up to the originals?
- Neighborhood Guide: All the delicious things you can get within a four-block radius on West Allis’ Becher Street
Insider
- Parks: Green space for people of all abilities in Tosa
- Education: Grappling with AI in the classroom at UWM
- Aging: The unique challenges of being an LGBTQ senior
- Tom Barrett: What our former mayor has been up to in Luxembourg
Explore
- Visit: Tiptoe through a tableau of tulips at this spring festival.
- Hidden Milwaukee: A Model Railroad Club has been meeting at an unlikely spot in Walker’s Point for 88 years. And boy, do they have a wild train!
- I Tried It: Door County’s Rock Island is ideal for campers seeking a quiet paradise.
