It's not "the Calatrava!"

One of my major pet peeves is that way too many people in this city refer to the Milwaukee Art Museum as "the Calatrava." It has to stop.

It's been five years since the Quadracci Pavilion, the first Santiago Calatrava-designed building in the United States, opened our beautiful Lakefront. It, of course, features a 90-ft. high glass-walled reception hall enclosed by the Burke Brise Soleil.

I love it as much as any Milwaukeean, but it's not called "the Calatrava." Just as the Sydney Opera House isn't "the Utzon."

No disrespect to Mr. C., but come now fine Milwaukeeans, it's our art museum, call it by its proper name -- the Milwaukee Art Museum! Let's resolve to do just this in 2007 and beyond.

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Support for the hometown airline

With recent news of a hostile take over of our hometown airline, Midwest Airlines, the Greater Milwaukee Committee (GMC) released a statement today supporting the company. Midwest Airlines CEO Tim Hoeksema is a GMC member and I, for the record, am an associate member of the civic organization.

Like all businesses, the airline should and will do what is in its best interests. But, for what it’s worth, the community is concerned and wants Midwest to remain a strong part of our region’s civic and economic fiber.

The following is the official statement from the GMC Board of Directors:

"The Greater Milwaukee Committee Board of Directors supports Midwest Airlines remaining in our region, especially given the interests of key stakeholders-corporations and our global corporate headquarters, our community and the Midwest employees. We are not interjecting into the shareholder decisions but expressing our support for the important role that Midwest plays in our region.

"The Midwest 'blue' brand, the corporate headquarters and the Midwest hub are keys to our regional identity and economy. The ability for business travelers and residents to travel to key cities non-stop and with well-managed connections are an important business attraction for our region.

"The leadership of Midwest Airlines has been active members of our community even during the most difficult years in the airline's history. We are proud to call them friends and colleagues and extend to them and the company our wholehearted support and endorsement."

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Study ranks city, suburban poverty

Suburban poor outnumbered their city counterparts for the first time last year, with more than 12 million suburban residents living in poverty ($15,577 for a family of three in 2005), according to a Brookings Institution study of the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas released Thursday.

According to the study, Milwaukee was at 24.9 percent poverty, while its suburbs were at 5.1 percent. To compare, Chicago had 19.9 percent below poverty and its suburbs 7.9.

The poverty rate in cities (18.8 percent) is still higher than in the suburbs (9.4 percent). But the overall number of people living in poverty is higher in the suburbs, mainly because of population growth.

Cleveland had the highest poverty rate last year, at 32.4 percent, while San Jose had the lowest, at 9.7 percent.

Suburban McAllen, Texas, was the suburb with the highest poverty rate last year, at 43.9 percent, while suburban Des Moines, Iowa, had the lowest, at 3.7 percent. Des Moines has a suburb? I know you were thinking the same thing.

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New Botti re-release features tune with Milwaukee's Eric Benet

Trumpet master Chris Botti is out with a new edition of his 1996 Christmas album "December." The Columbia Records release features Milwaukee native and ex Mr. Halle Barry, Eric Benet, and four newly recorded Yuletide tracks.

Produced by founder and innovative jazz-rock fusion drummer of the group Blood, Sweat & Tears, Bobby Colomby, "December" premieres two songs. One is a wonderful interpretation of Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria." It features the Choir of St. John's, Smith Square.

The second new track on the re-release is "I Don't Want Much for Christmas." Benet, who is still touring the Midwest in support of his latest release "Hurricane" (he plays Detroit's Royal Oak on Dec. 29), is the only solo vocalist on the new Botti record.

The newly expanded disc also features new versions of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "Silent Night."

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