By Jeff Sherman OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer Published Dec 30, 2006 at 12:06 PM
Bears have become Packers in Downtown Milwaukee. 

The Shops of Grand Avenue has donned its beloved “Bears,” the Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra in center court, in the team colors of The Green Bay Packers. Pro Image Fan Fair, a store at The Shops of Grand Avenue and its manager Jay Sorgi, donated the attire for each furry member of the 18-piece animated orchestra.

The Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra, a Christmas-time show at The Shops of Grand Avenue for the last five years, seems to be a big hit with the kids.  Frankly, I'm ready for these Bears (Packers uniforms or not) to move on to another city or just seek an extended hibernation.  Many shoppers also are ready for bigger changes at the mall (that's another blog entirely).  The Shops of Grand Avenue has made a bit of a come back with T.J. Maxx and Linens 'N Things, but downtown dwellers and shoppers wonder if more changes are in store for 2007.

Regardless of my personal desires for Grand Avenue's future, it's cool to see Bears decked out in Packers gear.  Good work, Shops of Grand Avenue! 
Jeff Sherman OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer

A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.

He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.

Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.  He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.  

He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.

He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.