Back in spring, I posted some photo outtakes from my wanderings around town and you seemed to enjoy them. So, here are five more from the archive.
1. 740 N. James Lovell Dr.
Whenever I see a place like this turn-of-the-20th-century home turned office space, I can easily imagine myself living Downtown (dumpster notwithstanding). And this one has one of my favorite city center taverns right next door (and a nice grassy patch out back, for now).
2. 21st and Lapham Street
At first I thought maybe the bell was a sign that this was a telephone company related building but it didn't really look like one (at the moment it appears to be apartments). It might simply be a design motif. I love stumbling upon great architectural elements like these in ordinary residential neighborhoods. They remind me to keep my eyes open for beauty everywhere.
3. Tiny house
I lived around the corner from this wee house for about eight years and, still, I always smile when I see it. It's tempting to think this 19th century single-wide was a garage or something converted into a home, but details like the ornate window frames would counter that argument. To the left is another mother-in-law house, suggesting this one simply lost its bigger partner out front (or that the larger home was never actually built).
4. Western Union office
If you're near the Wells Building, 324 E. Wisconsin Ave., and need to send a telegram or money gram, head to the basement. But you might have to knock hard, I couldn't get anyone to answer when I stopped over.
5. Rooftop shanty
This East Town scene, viewed from the Railway Exchange across Broadway, looks like an unlikely Hooverville-style aerie. It's actually the roof access to the building, but I like my first impression better.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
