Summer continues and only OMC builds the buzz with our monthly scoops, insights, tid-bits, rumors and interesting facts. Enjoy.

MURRAY PLACE DISPLACED
Murray Place, 2321 N. Murray Ave., on the East Side has closed for good. According to Andrea Shafton, building owner, she has other plans for the space. And rumors are swirling about management disagreements and bickering. It's a shame, we liked the place and its food and atmosphere. Alderman Mike D'Amato has been talking to an established local restaurant about taking over the place. Stay tuned.

ANOTHER MILWAUKEE ALL STAR GAME
Milwaukee has secured another All Star Game! Steve Ryan, commissioner of the Major Indoor Soccer League, announced that the Milwaukee Wave will host next year's all-star weekend. The three-day event will be held March 7-9, 2003, and will end with the 2003 MISL Legends and All-Star games at the Bradley Center on Sunday. Another feather in our civic cap.

THE WAVE WILL DANCE
The Milwaukee Wave will also debut a new dance team next season. A former Bucks Energee dancer is heading up the new group.

ADIOS, LA CASITA
Milwaukee's condo boom has closed La Casita, 2014 N. Farwell Ave. The building will be razed and replaced with Lafayette Hill condo development. Robert F. Zellmer is the developer.

BYE, BYE BECCO
Beccofino inside The Shorecrest Hotel has closed and will re-open as Dolce Vita Ristorante, a pasta, seafood and steak place.

NEW MOON OVER BELLA LUNA
Milwaukee pasta maker Bella Luna, Inc. has been purchased by Mondo Brothers, the owners of Milwaukee-area Cafe Vecchio and Lakefront Palm Garden. Bella Luna's factory and retail store at 2074 N. Commerce St. will retain its original name but the new owners plan improvements in both the building and business. A new, riverside patio will be built and owner Russ Davis plans outdoor sampling, dining and tours.

WILLY'S BACK
Willy Porter's new, self-titled album is in stores now. Pick it up, it's great.

BOBBY'S BACK TOO
Former Milwaukee TV guy Bobby Rivers pops up this fall on the Food Network's show called "Top 5."

MATT TAKES ON HOOPS
Former Brewers TV guy, Matt Vasgerian, popped up on NBC's national coverage of the WNBA on Sat., Aug. 10.

STANFORD COMING TO MKE
Stanford's crew team will compete in The Milwaukee River Challenge on Sat., Sept. 21 downtown. Watch OMC for more details on this great event.

WE WON'T BIKE THE HOAN, FOR NOW
State transportation officials have killed the idea of adding bicycle lanes to the Hoan Bridge. The DOT has instead called for building a bike path on unused railroad tracks to link the city's south side and downtown. The Hoan Bridge bike path could have been another jewel for Milwaukee. Keep the pressure on your local officials if you support this project.

GOING TO THE BEACH? BRING COINS
Milwaukee County is proposing installation of parking meters along the Lakefront to help cure budget shortfalls and help to cut down on people who use the Lincoln Memorial Drive for free all day parking during the workday. Do we really need ugly meters on our otherwise beautiful Lakefront? Show up at county budget hearings to voice your opinion.

BBC GETS BB BETTER
BBC is beginning a major renovation its windows and the bar's North Avenue entrance this month.

NEW SPORTS FRANCHISE COMING
The United States Professional Volleyball League has awarded Milwaukee an expansion team. The women's league runs from January to May. Local investors still need to be secured, but the team could be playing by 2003.

42nd STREET
The first national tour of the Broadway musical and 2001 Tony Award winner, "42nd Street" comes to Milwaukee and the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts September 3-8.

HANG OUT WITH TINY TIM
The Rep is currently seeking applications for boys and girls, ages 7-13, who are interested in auditioning of the production of The Christmas Carol at The Pabst Theater. Call (414) 224-1761 for more details.

MOMMY DEAREST
MilwaukeeMoms.com has launched. It's a nice resource of families and of course, moms.

AIRPORT HAS A PLAN
General Mitchell International Airport is undertaking an update of the Airport Master Plan. Beginning August 13, the airport will take a fresh look at all the aspects of its future. You are invited to participate in workshops. Check out www.mitchellairport.com/ for more information.

JAZZED ABOUT WINE
Jazz in the Park labelled wine is now available as part of the Cedar Creek store stock at the winery, because it has been selling so well at the Thursday series downtown. Also available is the Jazz in the Park CD with 100% of the proceeds going to music scholarships in Milwaukee, through the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, WAMI and the Lincoln Center of the Arts.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
The Milwaukee Rampage will host former coach Bob Gansler and the Kansas City Wizards of the MLS on Sat., Aug. 24 at 7:30 p.m.. at the Rampage Sports Complex at 60th Street and Ryan Road in Franklin. Call (414) 448-5425.

FOOD LOVES MKE
Jill Cordes, host of the Food Network's "Best of," and her crew were in Milwaukee in mid-July shooting for a series of six segments that will involve various Milwaukee eateries. Some comments and reactions from the crew:

They were extremely impressed with the number of people, especially families, enjoying River Rhythms! "Your city is much more diverse than Minneapolis!" "I don't want to leave!"

NEW LOOK AT BIZ JOURNAL
The Milwaukee Business Journal debuts its new look and new features on Fri., Aug. 16. More information, better graphics, an "After Hours" page with photos of people like you, a new column from Pete Millard and more. Check it out.

SBT WELCOMES JAGLER
Small Business Times, LLC, has appointed Steve Jagler to its editorial team as executive editor of Small Business Times. Jagler's primary responsibilities will be to work with editor David Niles to help build on the success of the seven-year old business publication.

SUPER WADE
Marquette University's Dwyane Wade has been chosen as a member of the Wooden Award Pre-season All-America Team, a list of 50 student-athletes who, based on last year's individual performance and team records, are the early favorites for college basketball's coveted Wooden Award, symbolic of the nation's top player.

Q-DOBA
Q-Doba is looking to expand in downtown and on the East Side. Their location on Oakland Avenue is their second highest volume restaurant in the state, right beyond their State Street location in Madison and a hungry public wants more fresh burritos.

SCC
Contemporary Christian hit maker Steven Curtis Chapman is bringing his "Live Out Loud Fall Tour 2002" to the U.S. Cellular Arena October 10. Tickets are $32.75, $27.75, $23.75, $21.75 or $18.75.

THE CAWKER CORNER
The Cawker Building, 108 W. Wells St., is courting tenants for its Riverwalk space. More bakery, coffee and sandwiches would be welcome additions to the downtown neighborhood.

INTERNET JAVA
The cybercafe idea is coming back to Milwaukee, we hear, as a new Internet coffee shop will open on East North Avenue, across from the Open Pantry. Stay tuned for further details.