It's no longer the case that "I know it when I see it" is the definition for pornography or obscene material as was the days of a Supreme Court of yore. Now the determination of a "porn store" is measured by the amount of material in the store.

Milwaukee Ald. Tony Zielinski wants to make the definition of a business being labeled a "porn shop" more liberal. That label gives uneasy politicians and city officials the ability to restrict where the stores can go.

Zielinski is proposing changing the city's rule after a store, "Pipe Dreams" opened rather discretely in his Bay View district on Kinnickinnic Ave.

Residents have since voiced their displeasure in chat groups and to Zielinski's office. The store sells mostly smoking accessories but also features an adult material section as part of its floor display. It's really a glorified head shop, but Zielinski can't go after the store because it sells water pipes, screens and papers.

The city's ordinances state that if 10 percent or more of a store's inventory or floor space is pornography it can be called a porn shop. Zielinski's plan would reduce that definition to one percent of floor space and 10 percent of inventory.

Zielinski has already checked out the store in terms of how much porn content is there and so far it complies.

The alderman says the current rules don't do enough to protect children from porn, even though in the case of the Pipe Dreams store, a sign clearly states that no one under 18 is allowed. After some complaints store owners promised to screen off the adult section, small though it may be. A Common Council committee is considering the proposal for legalities and language.

Teen scene concern: When it first opened, Club Sugar in Walker's Point was to be the be all and end all for teen clubs in Milwaukee. A stylish decor where high-end non-alcoholic beverages would make the under-age crowds feel more adult and having pros cater to them would also make them feel important, according to the owners when it opened.

But the venue has become a pain in the butt for Ald. Jim Witkowiak, who represents the area around the club at 126 E. Mineral St. He's concerned about the number of police calls being made because of the club and the disturbances that precede the calls. He cites cruising, loud stereos and disturbances on a weekly basis and that police have to be called to also direct traffic out of the club, even though it is in a largely industrial area. Recently a local TV station did a report on the problems.

The alderman is being accused by club owners of trying to shut down the club.

"This simply isn't an accurate description of my approach to responding to the problems that have surfaced in relation to the club," says the alderman. But he goes on to say he was holding a public meeting to get input from the neighbors as to whether he should close the club.

"I call it doing my job," witkowiak said. "If need be, I will not hesitate to seek revocation of Club Sugar's licenses to operate, and I will ask my Common Council colleagues for their support in that endeavor."

Booze rules: New booze rules as far as tavern licensing will take effect if the Milwaukee Common Council approves recommendation by a special task force formed to study licensing issues. The Alcohol Beverage Licensing Task Force was formed after former Ald. Michael McGee was busted for taking bribes from store owners in his district who wanted a liquor license. It was setup to study how the licensing process works and provide some new rules for an edgy public and its elected officials.

A key to the effort was looking at how long it could take before a liquor license idea could be heard by the proper committee of the Common Council. In the McGee case it was found that he was delaying giving business owners a license hearing in order to shake them down. And there have been complaints from businesses not in McGee's district. It's called "aldermanic privilege" and even if aldermen vehemently deny it exists there is no doubt that aldermen carry considerable weight it what goes on in their districts.

Among the new rules passed this week:

• License applications would need to be heard by the Licenses Committee within 60 days.
• A requirement that residents within 250 feet of a location be notified when a new license application for that location is heard. Aldermen decide that now.
• A requirement that public notice of the license hearing be posted on the actual premises of the building for outside viewing purposes.

Other housekeeping issues are covered as well, including limiting the time allowed for people to testify their opinions about the liquor establishment.

"These recommendations were substantive and will make our system more accountable, transparent and efficient," said Council President Willie Hines.

Peddle power: Milwaukee Ald. Nik Kovac went green this week, peddling his bike to Madison to join a lobby day at the Capitol over future biking issues. The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin is promoting a recent UW-Madison study that shows bicycling contributes more than $1.5 billion to the state economy annually.

"Bicycling isn't just an environmental option," Kovac said. "It brings more than 13,200 bicycle-related jobs to the state."

The Federation was spending two days in Madison as part of an annual assault on the dome. Last year's campaign resulted in the statewide Complete Streets legislation to increase bike lanes and paths and the passage of legislation to protect bicyclists' rights. The group is also a large part of the state's Safe Routes to School program.

Kovac took the trip with Dave Schlabowske, the city's first bicycle and pedestrian coordinator.