By Steve Kabelowsky Contributing Columnist Published Oct 29, 2013 at 3:06 PM

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives in Wisconsin, it is easy to forget about the treasures within our own community. Every once in a while we are reminded of them, we drive by them and they are often an afterthought.

But these little gems in our backyard are often the gateway that greets visitors, those who travel for business and leisure, and only spend mere fleeting moments in the place we call home.

The Pfister Hotel is one of those gems.

The Milwaukee historic icon is the subject of a Milwaukee Public Television (MPTV) documentary that will air at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday night on MPTV Ch. 10 and Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) Ch. 36.2.

"Inside The Pfister: A Milwaukee Hotel Icon" features the architectural beauty of the building and the personalities of the people who are tasked with making sure the operations and service exceed visitor’s expectations.

Journalist Mark Siegrist serves as the host of the documentary, and he interviews a number of the staff including Executive Chef Brian Frakes and Housekeeping Director Annie Fang.

You may also recognize one special writer that talks to visitors in the hotel’s grand lobby, as OnMilwaukee.com reporter Molly Snyder serves has the narrator in residence. It is her job to gather the stories of the people who come and go from the 120-year-old hotel and share them through social media and The Pfister’s website.

There are a number of old tales throughout the decades about different hauntings in the hotel. These stories about spirits have become part of the fabric of The Pfister’s history of the past, affecting even a few of the current major league baseball players staying here while playing against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Raul Galvan is the executive producer of the half-hour program that will take viewers behind the scenes to capture the, "daily rhythm, tradition and luxury service of this treasured landmark."

Editor Darin Malkowski, videographers Michael Garvin, Duane Rodriguez and Jose Lozano weave together an interesting story that will bring in people like me who have only driven by, or been inside a couple of times, to feel more familiar with the "grand lady" that resides on the corner of Jefferson and Wisconsin in Milwaukee’s Downtown.

"Inside The Pfister" will have an encore viewing at 8:30 p.m. on Friday on MPTV Ch. 36.

SUPERSTORM ANNIVERSARY: As we look back upon the devastation that Superstorm Sandy had on the east coast, PBS NewsHour Science Correspondent Miles O’Brien takes a hard look at why New York’s infrastructure failed. In his reporting, in conjunction with NOVA, O’Brien reports on what systems didn’t work and how multiple departments are working to prevent another disaster.

It was the worst storm to hit New York in recorded history – Sandy created a wall of water 14 feet above sea level. The tunnels flooded, shorting out the electrical grid and damaging underground phone lines.

With more frequent and stronger storms predicted due to climate change, New York’s utilities and transportation departments are exploring ways to strengthen the city’s infrastructure.

In a report airing tonight, O’Brien takes a look at what can be learned from the Netherlands. In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, New Yorkers are looking for answers in a place familiar with the war against water.  Built on a swampy delta, much of the country lies below sea level.

O’Brien travels to the European nation to see its flood protection system and explore what technologies and defenses New York might glean from its experience.

Steve Kabelowsky Contributing Columnist

Media is bombarding us everywhere.

Instead of sheltering his brain from the onslaught, Steve embraces the news stories, entertainment, billboards, blogs, talk shows and everything in between.

The former writer, editor and producer in TV, radio, Web and newspapers, will be talking about what media does in our community and how it shapes who we are and what we do.