As we approach the clean slate of a new year, a look back at the last 12 months reveals a year of ups and downs for Milwaukee. Here's a look at the top 10 stories that affected us in 2007.
1. Midwest Airlines fends off AirTran
Just about every so-called expert had written off Midwest Airline's ability to fend off a hostile takeover attempt from Atlanta-based AirTran this summer. However, on Aug. 12, Midwest executives announced that the public company would become private again, selling to group led by TPG Capital and Northwest Airlines. Two days later, AirTran made a final pitch, increasing its offer to $16.25 a share, but on Aug. 16, TPG countered with $17, putting the deal to bed. Though no longer locally-owned, Midwest Airlines, and the cookie, will stay -- for now.
2. Milwaukee loses multiple landmarks
Beloved establishments Bryant's Cocktail Lounge, 1579 S. 9th St., Goldmann's Department Store, 930 W. Mitchell St. and Art's Concertina Bar, 1920 S. 37th St., all closed in the fall of '07. Drew's Variety Store, 7505 Harwood Ave., in Wauwatosa, will close after 70 years of business in January.
3. Brewers fever
For the first time since 1992, the Brewers treated area baseball fans to a genuine pennant race. Sparked by a core of talented young players like first baseman Prince Fielder (50 homers), third baseman / NL Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun, outfielder Corey Hart and pitchers Yovani Gallardo and Carlos Villanueva, the Brewers held onto first place for 121 days before losing the division race to Chicago.
Expectations will be high next spring and so will the pressure on manager Ned Yost as Milwaukee looks to improve on its 83-79 record in 2008.
4. SABMiller and Molson Coors merge
SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Co. announced in October plans to merge their U.S. and Puerto Rico operations to create a larger company in order to better compete with U.S. industry leader Anheuser-Busch. The joint venture, called MillerCoors, allots a controlling 58 percent stake in the venture to Miller and 42 percent to Coors, although it remains to be seen which city -- Golden, Colo. or Milwaukee -- the company's headquarters will call home. The companies estimate a net revenue of $6.6 billion and project savings of $500 million in annual costs. The deal officially closed on Dec. 21.
5. Milwaukee media changes
There were many changes in the world of Milwaukee media in 2007. At the newspaper, a "volunteer separation program" intended to reduce up to 60 people from its staff. Ultimately, about 20 people took the "buyout," including travel columnist Dennis McCann and architecture columnist Whitney Gould. Veteran television anchor Mike Gousha announced that he will return to the airwaves at WISN-12 in January to host a political roundtable, after having ditched WTMJ last year.
Also at WISN, then-anchor Caroline Lyders was spotted canoodling in May with "American Idol" Taylor Hicks, and recently announced her decision to leave the station. In February, 88Nine Radio Milwaukee launched, replacing the jazz previously heard on 88.9 FM. Finally, Journal Sentinel food critic Dennis Getto died in July at age 57, when he succumbed to pulmonary fibrosis.
When the Packers headed into training camp in July, a lot of people figured that their quarterback was in the twilight of his career and the team would be lucky to win six or seven of its 16 regular-season games.
They couldn't have been more wrong.
After a two-year span in which he threw more interceptions (47) than touchdowns (38), Brett Favre showed he had enough gas in the tank to lead his team to unexpected heights, complete his personal rewrite of the NFL record book and make a case for his fourth MVP trophy.
Surrounded by a young supporting cast in his 17th season, Favre became the NFL's career leader in passing yards, touchdown passes and victories by a starting quarterback. And, he's on pace to exceed his personal record for passing yards in a season (4,458).
The Packers clinched the NFC North Division and are considered a strong candidate to advance to the NFC Championship Game and possibly the Super Bowl.
7. MPD hires new chief
In November, Milwaukee appointed former Springfield, Mass. top cop Edward Flynn police chief for a four-year term and the expectations for Flynn run high in a city tainted by segregation and violence. Flynn has got his work cut out for him, but he's apparently worked magic in other cities, so let's hope he's got a cheesehead-wearing rabbit that he can pull from his hat after he's sworn in at City Hall on Jan. 7.
8. Intermodal Station opens
When the crumbling Amtrak station on St. Paul Avenue reopened in autumn as the bright and shiny new intermodal station, it brought Milwaukee's train and bus connections together in one sharp new location. The stark white revamp replaces two abysmal reception points for visitors -- the other was the former Greyhound station -- and sets the stage for further links between Milwaukee and points beyond. It ought to help bring Milwaukee into the 20th century (no, you read that correctly) in terms of transportation connections. We'll see.
9. Ald. Michael McGee goes to jail
During Memorial Day weekend, Milwaukee Ald. Michael McGee was arrested on charges of making threats and taking bribes. McGee, who is still in jail, faces 12 state charges, as well as a nine-count federal indictment alleging extortion, bribery and trying to avoid reporting requirements for a major cash transaction. McGee says he is a "political prisoner" and denies making threats from jail. Meanwhile, he continues to serve as alderman for the sixth district from prison and is planning on running for re-election again in 2008.
10. The Bronze Fonz face-off
It's the debate that left the local art world divided. Visit Milwaukee announced in September that it had already raised $50,000 of the $85,000 needed to erect a life-sized bronzed statue of Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli from the show "Happy Days," which was set in Milwaukee in the '50s. (Will he wear a blue shirt?)
Visit Milwaukee said it plans to unveil the TV icon tribute in 2008 along the Riverwalk, between Wisconsin Avenue and Michigan Street, despite a local gallery owner and Milwaukee Art Museum director David Gordon expressing opposition to the kind of stereotype it would perpetuate for the city. And as we venture into the new year, the public art -- and public image -- debate continues.
