It's cold outside, but all around town the action, buzz, building and moving continues to get warmer and warmer. Here's is OMC's monthly look at what's up in and around in Milwaukee.

SKYY IS BLUE FOR MILLER

Milwaukee's own Miller Brewing Co. is entering the "malternative" business in a big way this spring when it will hook up with super-premium vodka marketer Skyy Spirits to launch Skyy Blue. Miller will produce, market and distribute the brand through its distributor system in February. Think Smirnoff Ice, if you need a point of reference. In other Miller news, the local brewer and Allied Domecq PLC announced a commercial partnership to introduce several other alternative malt beverages, the first two will contain Stolichnaya vodka and Sauza tequila.

MILWAUKEE "ENVY"

A new bar/restaurant called "Envy" is set to open in the next several months on Milwaukee Street. (across from Groom at 725 N. Milwaukee St.). The owner tells us it will be "80 percent bar and 20 percent restaurant."

"CITY MARKET" IN THIRD WARD

It's always been a shame (for those of us near downtown) that the very tasty City Market was located in the Village of Shorewood, not the city of Milwaukee. But, the owners of City Market are looking at the old Broadway Bar and Grill in the Historic Third Ward for a similar restaurant. Expect quality and "Third Wardy atmosphere."

PLACE YOUR PACZKI ORDER

Paczki Day is Tues., Feb. 12. Order your prune or raspberry paczki today. Call (414) 529-2140.

STORK CLUB FLIES NO MORE

The Stork Club has closed its doors. But Eric Blowtorch fans, fear not. E.B. has moved his reggae spin to Onopa Brewery on Center Street in Riverwest.

IF YOU BUILD IT, PART 1

A new office tower is planned for the shadows of the Firstar building. Watch for it to be completed next summer on land around 875 E. Wisconsin Ave. Also in East Town, plans are moving ahead for the $52 million Cathedral Place. It's an 18-story development planned to hold 220,000 sq. ft. of offices, 30 condominiums, 25,000 sq. ft. of retail space and a much needed 940-space parking structure.

CHECK INTO CAR X

Garot Hospitality Inc. has plans to build a hotel on land in Westown that was occupied by Car-X. Watch it grow at 1141 N. Old World Third St.

KONICHIWA KONOHANA

Watch for Konohana, a Japanese restaurant, to open by summer 2002 at the old Cataldo's on Brady Street.

JANE KEEPS ON GIVING AND GIVING AND GIVING

The Milwaukee Art Museum announced on Jan. 17 that it had received one of the most important acquisitions in its history, Pierre-Auguste Renoir's La Grenouillère, ca. 1870. The painting, by one of the most important French Impressionist painters, is a bequest from the estate of the late Jane Bradley Pettit, a long time benefactor of the Museum. The painting, originally part of the Vogel family collection of Milwaukee and one of the last Renoir river scenes in private hands, had hung in Mrs. Pettit's home since she purchased it in 1999 until her death this past September.

EAST AFRICA ON OAKLAND

The old Seidita's, 2921 N. Oakland Ave., is being transformed into Lula's Café. Look for authentic African cuisine. Don't confuse it with Bay View's Lulu, which is still one of the best casual dining experiences in town.

COACH KARL AT YPM

Bucks coach George Karl will talk to the city's young professionals about motivation, career choices and other professional development stuff on Feb. 28 at the Milwaukee Athletic Club. Call (414) 271-7753 to register.

ERIC BENET

Eric Benet is in Los Angeles finishing up work on his next disc. He tells us there's only two more songs to cut. Watch for a "Milwaukee Talks" interview with Benet in spring.

CHOP IT UP

Milwaukee's newest steak joint, The Chop House, opened at the Milwaukee Hilton City Center on Fri., Jan. 18. It's wonderful! For Milwaukee's first look inside, click here.

NPR FOR EISNER

Charles Sable, Curator at the William F. Eisner Museum of Advertising & Design, was interviewed on National Public Radio's, "Morning Edition" on Mon., Jan. 21st.

CREAN OF THE CROP

The first Tom Crean (he's the Marquette coach, by the way) Television Show of the 2001-'02 season aired on CBS-58 on Sat., Jan. 5 at 10:30 a.m. The telecast was the first of nine weekly shows that will air through early March. Hosting the show this year is Pat Hughes.

IF YOU BUILD IT, PART 2

Construction continues on Helfaer Field, the future home of Wisconsin's finest youth baseball facility, located on the site of Milwaukee County Stadium. In early December, the right and leftfield foul poles from County Stadium were installed at Helfaer Field. Construction plans also call for the original home plate area of County Stadium to be memorialized. Substantial completion of the facility is on schedule and is set for May 2002.

UPAF PUTS ON GAME FACE

The United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) recently announced that Steven J. Smith, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Journal Communications, and Mary Ellen Stanek, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Baird Advisors, Robert W. Baird & Co., have been named co-chairs of the organization's 2002 campaign. The annual campaign starts Tues., Feb. 12 and concludes in late June. UPAF provides primary financial operating support to 20 performing arts organizations in southeastern Wisconsin and is regarded as the nation's largest united arts fund in terms of number of donors and dollars raised.

BOOKS AND CLOTHES

Old Navy and Border's continue to be talked about as possible new tenants in downtown. Stay tuned.

IN THE NET

The Chrysler Dreambuilder Celebration Scribe Award-Winning made-for-television movie, "In the Net," shown recently on WTMJ, was shot in Milwaukee at the Downer Theatre, US Cellular Arena, the hockey shop at the Pettit National Ice Center, Arrowhead High School, Milwaukee County Jail and many other local locations. The TV movie stars many Milwaukeeans including Patrick Sims, K. Dawn Grazier and Carrie Hitchcock. It's pretty good, but could really lose much of its annoying background music. It explores the difficulty two college students of different races have in breaking through "polite silence" to openly communicate, gain insight and find common ground.

WE ARE VERY SAFE DRIVERS, WE ARE VERY SAFE DRIVERS

The Milwaukee area was rated one of the safest urban driving area according to the latest report from Washington D.C.-based, TRIP (The Road Information Program).

SPORTING NEW TEES

Brew City Beer Gear has printed new OnMilwaukee.com t-shirts featuring our famous "100 Things to do in Milwaukee" and "100 Things not to do in Milwaukee" lists. Buy them! Click here.

BUD AND COOP

The Miller Park Walk of Fame will grow by two members in 2002 as former Brewers President and Chief Executive Officer, Allan H. (Bud) Selig and legendary first baseman Cecil Cooper have been elected by a committee of media members and Brewers officials.

JIMMY JOHN'S

Jimmy John's Gourmet Subs have become a Milwaukee favorite. Sure they are based in Illinois, but their UWM and MU locations are doing very well. They are now looking to expand on Brady Street. How about a location downtown too? The office crowd needs another quick stop for subs.

FISH FRY IS BACK

The Polish Center of Wisconsin, 6941 S. 68th St., in Franklin, resumes its Friday fish fry, though May 10. From 4:30-8 p.m. there will be a fish buffet with batter fried or baked cod, cole slaw, potato pancakes, apple sauce, french fries, rye bread, coffee and milk for $8 ($4 for kids ages 10 and under). Carryouts are available and groups of six or more can make reservations by calling (414) 529-2140.

KRISPY KREME EYEING BROOKFIELD

Word is Aliota's on Bluemound Road is considering an offer from the Krispy Kreme people. Sure, we'd get sinful sweets, but can we afford to lose the half-century of Aliota's tradition? Time will tell.

MONKEY BUSINESS

The southern end of Walker's Point gets a grand opening on Fri., Jan. 25, as The Monkey Bar opens at 1517 S. 2nd St. The tavern will have numerous nightly drink specials, including an alluringly-named Martini Monday.