Right-wing Rev. Jerry Falwell, an evangelical icon once courted by Republicans and scorned by liberals for his tirades against homosexuality and abortion, died yesterday in his office at Virginia's Liberty University So reports The London Free Press and other newspapers around the globe.
Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, extended condolences on Falwell's death but said he'll be remembered as "someone who demonized and vilified us for political gain and someone who used religion to divide rather than unite our nation."
Should we be hapy or sad at his passing? If anyhting I am relieved. Definitely not sad. What I wonder is what will happen when he stands before the Pearly Gates? Will St Peter send him on down to the Devil? Who knows. I sure don't, thats for sure.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Good News about the Harbor Room
A real quickie this time, the Harbor Room is up and running. I went down to the Open Records section of the MPD and will be getting a report on the 'Anonymous Tip' and the consequent actions taken. I fully intend to report what I find here so stay tuned as more juicy tidbits are revealed. Later in the afternoon I called the Harbor Room and they informed me that everything was taken care of and that they were open for business as usual.
AN UPDATE ON THE OTHER LEATHER BAR ARRESTS
Checking the court records Two of the perpetrators have postponed their pleas till the just before Memorial day. According to the court records they expect guilty pleas. As to the other two, one has pleaded no contest and the other guilty. Now I wonder how this will reflect on the upcoming bar renewal coming up at the end of the month? Stay tuned and I'll let you know what happens.
To get a little history on the arrests check the February and then the March Archives for all the details.
Don't you just love the drama?
AN UPDATE ON THE OTHER LEATHER BAR ARRESTS
Checking the court records Two of the perpetrators have postponed their pleas till the just before Memorial day. According to the court records they expect guilty pleas. As to the other two, one has pleaded no contest and the other guilty. Now I wonder how this will reflect on the upcoming bar renewal coming up at the end of the month? Stay tuned and I'll let you know what happens.
To get a little history on the arrests check the February and then the March Archives for all the details.
Don't you just love the drama?
Monday, May 14, 2007
Some random thoughts
Just a little tidbit came to mind about a conversation I had with a friend about the inclusion of LGBTQ inclusive churches in the Milwaukee area being linked to church web sites. It was my suggestion that the Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church include in its list of links churches that are inclusive to LGBTQ people. I suggested two churches one of which was listed but the other as of this date has not. That Church is the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee. It seems strange because they have historically been very outspoken for years on Gay and Lesbian issues. It is one of the few domination's to ordain openly gay and lesbian clergy. Much longer than any other domination as far as I know. So what is the problem?
I think it is time that Push comes to Shove. Don't you think?
I think it is time that Push comes to Shove. Don't you think?
More Juicy Drama at the Leather Bars
Oh I love this the Drama never ends. Rumors are flying that the Harabor Room has closed. Not exactly true, boys and girls. As some of you may have heard Mick Engebritson an Agent for the Harbor Room Corporation died of a massive heart attack leaving the other partner in the corporation Fitz. Of course as you know there is fearce competition between certain Leather Bars, one in particular comes to mind which my sources allege may be the cause of the current debacle. Three guesses and the first two don't count. Anyway I present to you a letter that Fitz sent out explaining the the problem.
What's Going On?From: Harbor Room <fitz@harbor-room.com>Date: Sat, 12 May 2007 21:42:55 -0500
UPDATE So, What’s Going On?
Hello All!
So what is going on over there at that Harbor Room anyways? I heard the Harbor Room is closed down. I heard the police came in and closed the bar. There are so many rumors, so here goes. Harbor Room started with two people who formed a corporation to open this bar. Those two people are none other than Mick Engebritson and myself Gregg. Mick was our “agent” for the corporation, and I have been the owner of the corporation and the building. All has been well for our 7 years now and have never had a run in with the law. And we have been blessed to have a great group of customers who I would prefer to call Friends. Then two weeks ago, Mick was struck by a massive heart attack that took him by surprise and without warning at the young age of 53. Last Saturday I had a chance to see so many of you who attended the reception here at the Harbor Room following Mick’s wake.
But going back before his wake I promptly went to city hall to rectify the matter of our license in the light of Mick’s passing. After a few hours of paperwork and appointment of a new agent to the corporation in the Milwaukee Licensing Division’s offices, we were good to go and on our way. The kind people at city hall gave us the forms, we took oaths, got notarized and even wrote them a healthy check and got a receipt.
Then earlier this week, many of you came in and said, hmmmmmmmm! I heard a rumor over at ________from_______that you lost your license. Well, we said it wasn’t so. Then the Milwaukee Police Department claimed to get an ANNOYMOUS TIP that our license was not valid. Well, anytime a tip is recieved, it simply must be investigated! The Milwaukee Police Department arrived here on Friday at 6:10 p.m. to review our license. They took down the information from us and compared it to what they had in their on line computer listing. Bingo, no match. The new appointment had not been processed and is not in their computer. But in fact the Liquor Specialist in the Licensing Division of City Hall had us fill out an entirely wrong form. It was to be a TRANSFER of LICENSE due to Death of the Licensee not the regular Renewal of Liquor License with an appointment of a new agent. That form was coming due too, so no harm done there really, other than the mistake has resulted in the city closing our establishment. That being said, I will simply enclose here exchanges between the aldermen, the police dept for your edification!
First let’s get technical. LOL! CHAPTER 125 ALCOHOL BEVERAGES
http://www.tlw.org/public/content/Documents/Chapter_125.pdf
(b) From person to person. 1. Licenses to sell alcohol beveragesmay be transferred to persons other than the licensee if thelicensee, or an applicant for a subsequently granted license, dies,becomes bankrupt or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditorsduring the license year or after filing the application. If a retaillicensee becomes disabled, the municipality may, upon application,transfer the license to the licensee’s spouse if that spouse mayhold a license under sub. (5) and complies with all of the requirementsunder this chapter applicable to original applicants, exceptthat the spouse is exempt from payment of the license fee for theyear in which the transfer takes place.
2. Upon the happening of any of the events under subd. 1., thepersonal representative, the surviving spouse if a personal representativeis not appointed, the trustee or the receiver may continueor sell or assign the business. (This could result in legal issues with our attorney to begin, ugh)
4. If the business is sold or assigned, the license may be transferredto the successor owner or assignee at no charge if:a. He or she complies with the requirements applicable tooriginal applicants; andb. He or she is acceptable to the issuing authority and consentto the transfer is given by the issuing authority
You still with me? LOL Now for some more excerpts! Ain’t this fun?
Re: Closure of Harbor Room by Milwaukee Police Department
Hello Alderman Witkowiak,
This is the form the License Division should have given us. When I went in, I specifically asked for Patricia Profitt, however we were steered to one of her “Liquor Specialists.” That specialist had us fill out the entire new form AT 115 instead of this Transfer. We being myself, the liquor specialist, my new agent appointment and Patricia all spoke about Myron’s death and his upcoming funeral. No one however brought up anything about this form AT 108 that I found on line by going through Google. We went as far as proceeding to the Treasurer and paying $ 1,104.00 that otherwise would not have been due until the time of renewal being July 24, 2007. It says there is no charge for a transfer in the case of death.
The police never did return Friday evening. We waited until 9:45 and then contacted the police department to check on the status of our call that was placed at 7:30 p.m. When they checked, I was informed there was NO PENDING STATUS and that no call had been placed to the Police Department.
In inquiring further, I did in fact get the police department to admit that someone was indeed here for the purpose of checking our license. I asked to speak to someone and was told that “they were out doing tavern license checks, and they were with the State Bar Man.” This unit had not returned to the station and did not know when they would return after doing their “tavern license checks.” I told by the officer, that we were told by the officer that came to our establishment said, “They were responding to an anonymous tip that we did not have a license.” He replied “that was not true.” The only further information he would provide was that it was “Squad 2 G.”
FOLLOWED BY:Dear Alderman,
This is just to inform you that I have already met with the shift captain of District Two Milwaukee Police Department. I provided them with all of our licenses, the AT 115, the receipts, and the Transfer Form that should have been provided and or completed when we came to city hall to take care of this matter on May 2nd. They agreed we did everything in a prompt and orderly fashion but they could not allow us to open because a new license has not shown up in their on-line computer system. When that transfer is approved by City Hall and it appears on their computer, they said we may go ahead and reopen. Until then they said nothing could be done and that “not even the Chief of Police could give us the approval to operate.” Because of my business partner, Myron Engebritson’s sudden death, the license for the business is simply invalid.
And in Reply from our fine Alderman, and I do mean that, this seems to be one very nice and sincere gentleman. And I ain’t blowin’ no smoke!
Gregg,We will try and get to the bottom of this first thing Mon. am through lic. div..Call 286 2861 and speak with Mike McGuire; he is my Lesislative Assistant. Tell him that you sent a e-mail in with the info and ask him to confrence with either Rebecca Barron or Richard Pfaff in Lic. Div. and see what it will take to get this all fixed. Call McGuire at aprox 8:30 am on monday.He will do what he can and keep me in the loop.
Jim
So, how does that all line up with what you have heard? LOL. At least you are receiving your information directly from me at the Harbor Room as to clear up any RUMORS you have been told. Some people are really enjoying this I am sure. That is fine. That’s also real life. I worry more about what you think of us here at Harbor Room, and the fine reputation and trust we have built over the years with our friends and patrons. So I want you to know what is really going on.
Of course I could write more! I’ve never been short of words. But Harbor Room is still here. It will remain to be here. In fact, what could be better! Watch for our Grand Re-Opening Celebrations! People say I don’t advertise, LOL! I don’t need too! Bad Press is Better Than No Press At ALL!
Isn’t Life Fun? A change of pace does everyone good. Thanks for taking time to read this. I will keep you informed and up to date! Cheers!
Thanks Guys! Gregg
One suggestion I will make if Fitz is reading this. When dealing with Government officials, put everything in Writing. Send a certified letter, return reciept required verifying your conversation/s. If you email require a Reeturn reciept to verify that the intended person got the email and by all means make hard copies for your files. Another thing and I know they don't like this but get yourself a small electronic pocket recorder, turn it on, stick it in your shirt pocket and record the conversastion. It may not be used in court as evidence but you can make some pretty accurate notes from it afterwords. Get the names of everyone you talk to right away and never send anything by regular mail or email. That is taken from over thirty years as a landlord.
To the competition. You're still not the only show in town. You are not doing too well either seeing as your license is comming up the end of this month. Hint Hint.
What's Going On?From: Harbor Room <fitz@harbor-room.com>Date: Sat, 12 May 2007 21:42:55 -0500
UPDATE So, What’s Going On?
Hello All!
So what is going on over there at that Harbor Room anyways? I heard the Harbor Room is closed down. I heard the police came in and closed the bar. There are so many rumors, so here goes. Harbor Room started with two people who formed a corporation to open this bar. Those two people are none other than Mick Engebritson and myself Gregg. Mick was our “agent” for the corporation, and I have been the owner of the corporation and the building. All has been well for our 7 years now and have never had a run in with the law. And we have been blessed to have a great group of customers who I would prefer to call Friends. Then two weeks ago, Mick was struck by a massive heart attack that took him by surprise and without warning at the young age of 53. Last Saturday I had a chance to see so many of you who attended the reception here at the Harbor Room following Mick’s wake.
But going back before his wake I promptly went to city hall to rectify the matter of our license in the light of Mick’s passing. After a few hours of paperwork and appointment of a new agent to the corporation in the Milwaukee Licensing Division’s offices, we were good to go and on our way. The kind people at city hall gave us the forms, we took oaths, got notarized and even wrote them a healthy check and got a receipt.
Then earlier this week, many of you came in and said, hmmmmmmmm! I heard a rumor over at ________from_______that you lost your license. Well, we said it wasn’t so. Then the Milwaukee Police Department claimed to get an ANNOYMOUS TIP that our license was not valid. Well, anytime a tip is recieved, it simply must be investigated! The Milwaukee Police Department arrived here on Friday at 6:10 p.m. to review our license. They took down the information from us and compared it to what they had in their on line computer listing. Bingo, no match. The new appointment had not been processed and is not in their computer. But in fact the Liquor Specialist in the Licensing Division of City Hall had us fill out an entirely wrong form. It was to be a TRANSFER of LICENSE due to Death of the Licensee not the regular Renewal of Liquor License with an appointment of a new agent. That form was coming due too, so no harm done there really, other than the mistake has resulted in the city closing our establishment. That being said, I will simply enclose here exchanges between the aldermen, the police dept for your edification!
First let’s get technical. LOL! CHAPTER 125 ALCOHOL BEVERAGES
http://www.tlw.org/public/content/Documents/Chapter_125.pdf
(b) From person to person. 1. Licenses to sell alcohol beveragesmay be transferred to persons other than the licensee if thelicensee, or an applicant for a subsequently granted license, dies,becomes bankrupt or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditorsduring the license year or after filing the application. If a retaillicensee becomes disabled, the municipality may, upon application,transfer the license to the licensee’s spouse if that spouse mayhold a license under sub. (5) and complies with all of the requirementsunder this chapter applicable to original applicants, exceptthat the spouse is exempt from payment of the license fee for theyear in which the transfer takes place.
2. Upon the happening of any of the events under subd. 1., thepersonal representative, the surviving spouse if a personal representativeis not appointed, the trustee or the receiver may continueor sell or assign the business. (This could result in legal issues with our attorney to begin, ugh)
4. If the business is sold or assigned, the license may be transferredto the successor owner or assignee at no charge if:a. He or she complies with the requirements applicable tooriginal applicants; andb. He or she is acceptable to the issuing authority and consentto the transfer is given by the issuing authority
You still with me? LOL Now for some more excerpts! Ain’t this fun?
Re: Closure of Harbor Room by Milwaukee Police Department
Hello Alderman Witkowiak,
This is the form the License Division should have given us. When I went in, I specifically asked for Patricia Profitt, however we were steered to one of her “Liquor Specialists.” That specialist had us fill out the entire new form AT 115 instead of this Transfer. We being myself, the liquor specialist, my new agent appointment and Patricia all spoke about Myron’s death and his upcoming funeral. No one however brought up anything about this form AT 108 that I found on line by going through Google. We went as far as proceeding to the Treasurer and paying $ 1,104.00 that otherwise would not have been due until the time of renewal being July 24, 2007. It says there is no charge for a transfer in the case of death.
The police never did return Friday evening. We waited until 9:45 and then contacted the police department to check on the status of our call that was placed at 7:30 p.m. When they checked, I was informed there was NO PENDING STATUS and that no call had been placed to the Police Department.
In inquiring further, I did in fact get the police department to admit that someone was indeed here for the purpose of checking our license. I asked to speak to someone and was told that “they were out doing tavern license checks, and they were with the State Bar Man.” This unit had not returned to the station and did not know when they would return after doing their “tavern license checks.” I told by the officer, that we were told by the officer that came to our establishment said, “They were responding to an anonymous tip that we did not have a license.” He replied “that was not true.” The only further information he would provide was that it was “Squad 2 G.”
FOLLOWED BY:Dear Alderman,
This is just to inform you that I have already met with the shift captain of District Two Milwaukee Police Department. I provided them with all of our licenses, the AT 115, the receipts, and the Transfer Form that should have been provided and or completed when we came to city hall to take care of this matter on May 2nd. They agreed we did everything in a prompt and orderly fashion but they could not allow us to open because a new license has not shown up in their on-line computer system. When that transfer is approved by City Hall and it appears on their computer, they said we may go ahead and reopen. Until then they said nothing could be done and that “not even the Chief of Police could give us the approval to operate.” Because of my business partner, Myron Engebritson’s sudden death, the license for the business is simply invalid.
And in Reply from our fine Alderman, and I do mean that, this seems to be one very nice and sincere gentleman. And I ain’t blowin’ no smoke!
Gregg,We will try and get to the bottom of this first thing Mon. am through lic. div..Call 286 2861 and speak with Mike McGuire; he is my Lesislative Assistant. Tell him that you sent a e-mail in with the info and ask him to confrence with either Rebecca Barron or Richard Pfaff in Lic. Div. and see what it will take to get this all fixed. Call McGuire at aprox 8:30 am on monday.He will do what he can and keep me in the loop.
Jim
So, how does that all line up with what you have heard? LOL. At least you are receiving your information directly from me at the Harbor Room as to clear up any RUMORS you have been told. Some people are really enjoying this I am sure. That is fine. That’s also real life. I worry more about what you think of us here at Harbor Room, and the fine reputation and trust we have built over the years with our friends and patrons. So I want you to know what is really going on.
Of course I could write more! I’ve never been short of words. But Harbor Room is still here. It will remain to be here. In fact, what could be better! Watch for our Grand Re-Opening Celebrations! People say I don’t advertise, LOL! I don’t need too! Bad Press is Better Than No Press At ALL!
Isn’t Life Fun? A change of pace does everyone good. Thanks for taking time to read this. I will keep you informed and up to date! Cheers!
Thanks Guys! Gregg
One suggestion I will make if Fitz is reading this. When dealing with Government officials, put everything in Writing. Send a certified letter, return reciept required verifying your conversation/s. If you email require a Reeturn reciept to verify that the intended person got the email and by all means make hard copies for your files. Another thing and I know they don't like this but get yourself a small electronic pocket recorder, turn it on, stick it in your shirt pocket and record the conversastion. It may not be used in court as evidence but you can make some pretty accurate notes from it afterwords. Get the names of everyone you talk to right away and never send anything by regular mail or email. That is taken from over thirty years as a landlord.
To the competition. You're still not the only show in town. You are not doing too well either seeing as your license is comming up the end of this month. Hint Hint.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Wanna do some Country?
How many of you remember 3B's and
Country Line Dancing?
Those were the days when you'd get all dressed up in jeans plaid shirt or blouse, Cowboy Boots and hunker on down to 3B's for a night of line dancing and fun. B's closed and moved to 2nd Street and so did the dancers and from there they moved over the years to different places. After a while we lost track of where they were meeting or when. Interest faded and so did the Cowboy fad. Some however never lost interest and continued to line dance right up until now.
Boy have I got news for you. There is a place with a huge dance floor where there is Country Line dancing and lessons. The place is Hot Water located at the very end of National Avenue on Water Street. 818 So. Water Street to be exact. It is a mixed bar offering different themes each day of the week and caters to all who like to dance, gay and straight. Friday is Country from 8:00 pm till bar close with free lessons from 8;30 to 9:15 pm. Our own Shoreline are the ones who dance and teach. There is a free parking in the lot north of the building. Kiddy corner from them is Kruz the old So Water Street Docks.
Wednesday is Disco on the 1st and 3rd and West Coast Swing on the 2nd and 4th., Thursday is East Coast Swing, Friday is Country, Saturday is Salsa and Sunday is Tango 3:15 to 9:30 pm and Comedy 9:30 to the last laugh.
So get on those duds and hunker on down to Hot Water on Friday night and join Shoreline for some good 'ol foot stompin fun.
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