By Jeff Sherman OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer Published May 26, 2011 at 8:32 AM

I like when things like this happen. Our mission at OnMilwaukee.com is simple: make great media and move Milwaukee forward. In 2008, I wrote a blog called "Milwaukee needs a public beer garden." It does.

Today, I hear that the concept has legs and may be moving forward. The Westown Association, the entity that owns the Class B Tavern license at Pere Marquette Park, has been approached by the owners of Old German Beer Hall.

HB Milwaukee, the owners of the Beer Hall, want to explore a seasonal beer garden concept in the park.

Stacie Callies, executive director of the Westown Association, says "Pere Marquette Park is owned by Milwaukee County Parks and is also home to the Milwaukee County Historical Society, both of which have been strong historical partners of the Westown Association. Before any further discussion of this concept is undertaken, both of the County Parks and Historical Society would need to be involved in the discussion."

So, we'll see where it all goes.  Creating something that ties into the German heritage of Old World Third Street makes a lot of sense.  Moreover, the latest version of the Downtown Master Plan has identified redevelopment around Pere Marquette and activating the park as a catalytic project for Downtown. At least, the idea's on tap and beginning to flow.

Speaking of Westown, the Westown Farmer's Market at Zeidler Union Square begins June 1 and the 15th season of River Rhythms at Pere Marquette Park begins Wednesday, June 8.

Cheers!

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.