I admit I’m a skeptic when it comes to lists. But even I’m a little impressed to see Milwaukee sitting at No. 2 on Conde Nast Traveler’s "6 U.S. Cities to Watch in 2017" list.
"When it comes to American cities, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles dominate the market – and the conversation," writes the respected travel magazine. "Yet the Big Three continuing to grow more crowded (and more expensive) has proved advantageous to other cities across the country, which attract people with cheaper rents, space to create, and local cultural and culinary movements. And whether these ‘runway cities’ are new to the tarmac, have been taxiing for some time, or are just about to take off, we can’t wait to visit them in 2017."
Tops on the list is Baltimore, noted for its Fell’s Point neighborhood, Recreation Pier development and more.
But immediately following is Brew City, which gets the nod for being a water city, for having a vibrant dining scene, its hotel boom and, of course, Milwaukee Art Museum.
There’s also a mention of tied houses.
"Long overshadowed by its Midwest neighbors Chicago (92 miles), Minneapolis (337 miles), and state sister Madison (79 miles), Milwaukee has many, if not all, of the same qualities that make these sister cities buzz – and then some," says CN Traveler.
I agree.
Also making the list, in spots three through six: Indianapolis, St. Louis, Fort Worth and Detroit.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He can be heard weekly on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories.
