Standing up for Small Business, A New Writer Emerges, and Bob Habush on the 25th Anniversary of the Miller Park Construction Tragedy

13th July 13th, 2024, if it's 7 o'clock on Saturday morning, it's time for this

week in Waukeshaw. I'm your host downtown Danny Brown coming to you live and local from the

office of former Alderman Don Paul Brown here in the WAUK studios in downtown right around the

corner from Theodore Yeomans Park where we are proud to honor our suffragette heritage here in

this shot. I am joined by my faithful companion, the mighty max martinson on the board enjoying

it. It looks like a breakfast scone. We'll let him eat. And I'm also joined by my first guest

for this hour, Jessica Smith of Flippin Fabulous. Yes. Thank you for having me. So glad you're here.

We also have in our second hour, Amy Lissazema, who some of you may know from the YMCA of fitness

and yoga instructor, who is launching a new book or for first effort, literary effort. It's called

Fleetwood Dreams, Climbing of Mountain after a landslide. So we look forward to, and that's also

published by 10, 16 press, a local publisher. So we look forward to having Amy out in the second hour.

And then in my acting locally, thinking globally, segment, a lot to cover there, some anniversaries

and some milestones. And also some talk about the RNC opens on Monday. And for those of you looking

at the live stream, you'll see I got my media credentials. And I'm wearing them right now in

studio where I need them like I need a hole in the head because I won't be in town for the RNC.

I'll actually be in Kansas City, my daughter, as a softball tournament. But one of my bucket list

items will be taken out when I go to the Harry Truman presidential library, more in that later.

And then the Carol minute, where we're going to celebrate one of the members of the

Carol football team's coaching staff, who just got promoted to defensive coordinator.

And then we'll have our farmers market reports in the second hour. Jane Matteneer is there

from as goes Wisconsin, our weekly show that airs statewide and all the civic media stations from

10 to 12. So we look forward to getting some updates on Jane and what looks like a beautiful day,

maybe a hot day for the farmers market. And she'll probably say come early, come off. And then

as a real special treat. And when we talk about this in acting locally that tomorrow marks the

25th anniversary of that horrible construction accident and what was then called Miller Park that

killed three iron workers. And the attorney for the widow's Bob Habish will be calling in at 840

and sharing his experiences during that time. And I spoke with Bob yet and there really were some

some things I didn't know about that. He had shared with me that I look forward. We look forward

to sharing with you. So lots to unpack today. And Jessica's got kind of a co-pilot here.

Well, our husband's got here too. He can't leave him out, but participating in the show is Mary Jane

Sanchez. There you go. You can put your headphones on, Mary Jane. It looks like she's got a cheap trick

t-shirt on or the lyrics from I want you to want me. And I went to their admiral show in the spring.

Nice. Did you know the lead singer lives in Waukesha? Part of me. The lead singer,

a cheap trick lives in Waukesha. Well, I didn't know that, but I did know that they came across the

border because the drinking age was 18 here. And in Illinois, it was 21. That's where that's 70

show at the end of the show or at the end of the title sequence. And they say, hello, Wisconsin.

Yes, exactly. Every time they play a gig in Wisconsin. So they love us here. So anyway,

let's start with Jessica Smith. So a couple of years ago, you started your, your, your concept,

your store flip and fabulous, correct? Well, I started in Waterford at the unique antique market

out there in 2016. And then I moved my business to Waukesha in 2022. So September of 2022 was

the grand opening here. And describe your concept again for those who, who, so flip and fabulous

started in like a small little boutique mall. I was doing like, refinished with signs,

refinished furniture. So that's where like the flipping came from. Okay. And then eventually,

I branched out and I worked with other local artists and I offered their products for sale

on consignment within my booth. And then when I grew to my storefront, it was a tremendous amount

of support from local businesses and stuff. So the night really expanded my product offerings

and stuff. You know, I went from 200 square feet to almost 900 square feet. So.

Fantastic. Yeah. So. And what got you into this?

I was in the insurance industry for a very long time.

Fine. Yeah. Oh, yeah. And I ended up my last job in the insurance was working as a claims

adjuster. Okay. And if we're going to be completely transparent, that's kind of what not

pushed me over the edge, but it was just a very strenuous, stressful job. Sure. And I just said,

I looked at my husband. I'm like, I can't do this anymore. I need to do something that's going

to make me genuinely happy again. And crafting has always been my like my therapy, if you will,

and I love to create. So. And then also, I swear like a sailor. So flip and fabulous,

just kind of put together like bread and butter, you know. So yeah. Sounds good. And

we are sad to see you're leaving. You're opening a new store in Burlington. It will be leaving

the main street store. Correct. Yeah. The Burlington locations will still open in August.

And my regular listeners have heard me talk about this in previous shows. And I just coming

right out. I'm not here to bash any one business. It's really more the mechanics of it or the

the not so best practices and how we deal with our neighboring businesses, even if they're

direct competitors. And you did have some unfortunate experiences that led you to make this

decision to leave. I did. Walkershoff for Burlington. I did. I mean, overall, the community support

was wonderful from day one from day one, but sorry about that. You're good. But I mean, there was

basically one one business owner that just made it really, really difficult to stay on track,

to focus, and to just like want to continue my business down there. So, you know,

or some of these tactics, basically just intimidation from the beginning, like being told

another business, which had the same setup as mine, basically was going out of business,

which wasn't true. And then the other one was just, it's just lies. Like talking about pricing

when we weren't like, obviously, we own our own store. So we shouldn't have to talk about pricing.

So the other thing was like taking products that I stocked that the other store did not have

in their store at the time of, you know, during their business. So I went out of my way to find

exclusive products with exclusive small businesses. And then those were being like taken from me.

And then launched before my grand opening. So right from the start, there was just not

not a very warm fuzzy feeling from that business. It started out as, hey, welcome,

come join us. And then it quickly just went south. So it was unfortunate, you know. But. Sure.

But in spite of that, though, you developed, you'd say a supportive clientele. Yeah.

Made some good friends here. Absolutely. Absolutely. Yep. So I know you're part of one of your reasons

for wanting to be on here was to thank those patrons and. Correct. And so maybe some of the other

businesses that were. Yeah. So there's a long list, which I'm probably going to go into detail more

when I do my last live from the walk to a location. But it's going to. You're still open at Main Street.

I am not actually. We closed and we moved out on Wednesday. So it's pretty much empty. We just

have like the cleanup and stuff to do. So. But yeah, overall, I mean, just in general, thanking the

community of Waukesha, the Chamber of Commerce was a huge help for me. All of my customers, loyal,

and you know, the city of police, city of Waukesha, police department, sunny officer,

sunny Schneider, there's just, there's a long, long list. So, you know.

Terrific. What about the Downtown Business Association? That. I don't know if I really

want to speak on that. I mean, in the beginning, it was great. But in the end, it left a really bad

taste. My mom also ended up withdrawing my membership, just basically attending the meetings. I

noticed things that I didn't personally agree with. I tried to speak out on them. I went to the

president to address my concerns. And it just, in my opinion, was not handled the way it should

have been being a professional business association who's supposed to support each other. It just,

I didn't get that connectivity. I didn't get that feeling from being a member with them at the

end. So that's why I, you know, loved. In full disclosure, Waukesha is a, I believe,

still a member of the the Downtown Business Association. And as someone that's been a small

business advocate for many years and started a very successful small business association in

Evan Sonilanoi, that was successful in attracting a huge investment in downtown and local

businesses from Northwestern University. In one year, the spend tripled from $9 million to

$27 million. I have some intimate knowledge on what some good best practices are in terms of

our small business neighbor relations. And even if it's a direct competitor that you want

your direct, you want your competition to do well. Exactly. And your your ultimate competition is

yourself. Correct. And that's what I always said. I said, my only competition is myself.

Sure. And this might be real quick. Mary Jane, if you want to chime in, because obviously,

you've been a long time consumer, Anna, a downtown business owner in Waukesha, you want to share

some perspectives that are kind of give us a bigger background. Pitting upon the time, Don, but

as you know, there are a lot of people in the city, Waukesha that promote our local downtown

community. And including yourself, you and I both. And we were here to promote things. But it

just takes one person or one entity or one bully, you know, on the playground, or in this case,

in Waukesha, that can really upset that apple cart. And what we need to do is write size,

and that's what we're kind of doing today is to say, hey, everybody, let's just get along.

There are a lot of bars in restaurants downtown Waukesha, and they feed off of each other.

So what they do is they know that when somebody's done at one place to go to the next place,

and they become friendly, and they support each other, especially with things like Friday Night Live.

Terrific. So, but back in 2012, we had a similar situation with the downtown Waukesha bid,

which was the number, the first bid in the state of Wisconsin.

That's business improvement district. Thank you. And and we had that were the property owners

and the business owners were kind of at odds. And it got very, very ugly. And our mayor at the

time was Jeff Screema, and he dismantled it. But somewhere on YouTube, there's about 10 videos

of business owners that were blacklisted, and that were actually crying. Can you have

to search on YouTube to the common council to say, hey, we've got a problem here. Let's fix it.

So I'm glad that we're kind of calling things out here to say, come on, everybody. Let's get together.

Let's state, as a community, we've been doing a really good job. The city's been doing an amazing

job. We have a lot of good camaraderie, and we really do not need to have people undermining the

goodness that Waukesha has to offer. The conversation continues with Jessica Smith of

Flip and Fabulous and Mary Jane Sanchez on how we can do better in our downtown business community.

And then next, we also will be I'll be acting locally, thinking globally, and a lot to unpack

there. And then stick around. We will have our first farmers market report at the beginning of

the second hour. So so much going on here. Plus of vacancy, I just learned about on the Waukesha

school board, school district reports.

What's up with you? But I know I had my family to fall back on.

You're listening to this weekend Waukesha on Waukesha with your host on round and

waiting. I'm joined by my guest, Jessica Smith of Flip and Fabulous who wants to thank those in

the Waukesha community who supported her business over two years before taking off for Burlington.

And of course, you're listening to Waukesha's favorite son, Les Paul. The world is waiting for

the sun to rise. But here in the shower, not. It's a beautiful sunny day. And get in there early

before the heat comes in over at the farmers market. So just letting you know. And here in this segment

before I continue with Jessica and Mary Jane, acting locally and thinking globally, this marks this

week marks the 64th anniversary of the release of Harper Lee's to Kill a Mockingbird published in

1960 by Harper Collins, a novel containing truth so universal that they bear repeating in 2024.

It's a very local story that sent shock waves throughout America and cultural norms and race

and community that still need to be challenged today. And very hopeful that I heard there's

some rumblings about banning those books and that book in certain schools. And you know,

that's an American treasure. And I remember I was living in Chicago. Mayor young, old mayor daily,

Richard and Richard M daily made that the book of the year for all the schools to read Chicago's

his favorite book. And so it is one that should continue to be celebrated. The RNC Republican

Republican National Convention opens here Milwaukee on Monday. That's I got my press credentials

and I'm wearing it here again for those you looking at the livestream. I unfortunately won't be in

town to cover but civic media will have some really great coverage there. Very elaborate coverage and

really looking forward to that. You can tune in on that on a daily basis for the latest updates.

And you know, my message to everybody is for those of you that I'm sure there'll be a lot of people

going downtown to demonstrate in one way or another demonstrate responsibly. Respect your opponents.

Make Milwaukee area proud. It is the whole world is is looking at us. And so let's be proactive

and responsible. And again, respectful of each other. So in this polarizing world, there's

opportunities at the local level to build bridges and connectivity. They're important to everyone.

Which reminds me of what I'm also missing is on Friday, July 19th at the Watch Up Public Library.

We have it can't happen here again. A nationwide celebration of resistance to the

the nomination. The Republican nomination that could could destroy democracy. And

you know, it's a good time for me to chime in and I try as a member of the media, I try to be

objective and open minded and try to represent all sides as best as I can. And I always preface this

was saying that I have deep roots in the Republican party having both parents that were Republican,

grew up in a Republican town. Jack camp was my congressman, the conservative icon and a role model

for me. But I also tell people I'm kind of I describe myself as biracial that as a grandson of

Irish immigrants. I was very much influenced by my grandmother. And they're obviously very pro-democratic

and pro-union. And so I've learned about the good and the bad from from from both parties and

have kind of formed my I don't have a party affiliation now. I'm what I call the majority of us

American orphans. And that really lobby for common sense and recognize that best solutions come

from both sides or many different sides. And it's oftentimes a combination of those. So

you know, in that spirit, I know it's important to make a stand and I just want to come out and

saying right now, you know, they say that evil triumphs when good men do nothing. And I can't stand

aside. And I want to say that me personally, I'm with Joey Jobs, President Joe Biden. And I know

yes, he didn't do so well on that debate, but that's just one aspect, really a small aspect of

the president's job. It's I encourage everyone to see how he behaves in his work. And I don't have

any ill feelings towards Trump supporters. Many of them are my family members, my brothers,

my friends, my fellow Americans, first and foremost. And so it's just really it's a mechanics of it.

It's just we disagree on the mechanics of how the country should be running. Not they're they're

patriotism or they're love for the country. And so last week I shared Fourth of July memories from

one of my favorite Fourth of July is in 1994 in Ireland. When I learned that my family played a part

however small, but still integral in the fight for freedom. My grandmother, two brothers that

were involved in the first ambush against the Crown forces in their fight for independence that

led to liberation of most of the country. And so for me and my heritage and to my ancestors that

have been that fought a 700 year battle for independence and freedom that I won't bow to another

king. I have only one king for religious reasons as dictated by my Irish Catholic faith. And his

kingdom is not this world as they say. And but I also believe that we're all children of that same

king. And as children of that same king, we all have a right to participate in this democracy.

If the Republican nominee Donald Trump wins, we may not have a democracy anymore. We will have a

kingdom. And he could be the most benevolent person that ever lived it. So it's not about him.

It's about the system. Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. And so again

returning locally. And it's also who's going to succeed him and will we know that he or she will be

benevolent. And that's that's the risk you take. It's huge risk and one not worth taking.

So returning locally, Ayo Smith celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. A local homegrown

Milwaukee company. A lead one of the world's leading providers of water heating and water treatment

solutions. What a legacy. And this does not happen in an allegarchy. It can only happen in a

democratic, a small D republic, a capitalist society. Sunday tomorrow is the 25th anniversary of

the tragic crane accident at the Miller Park construction project that killed three iron workers.

And at 840 Bob Habish this morning, 840, the attorney for the widows will be calling in to share

these experiences for this 25th anniversary. And getting justice for the families of Jeffrey

Wischer, William de Grave and Jerome Jerry star. Justice for these families. And it really was

um, Habish's efforts were quite heroic. Again, these don't happen in an allegarchy with a king.

They happen in a small D democratic society, a capitalist system where everybody has a chance

to participate. And I'm sorry,preneurs like Jessica Smith can have a chance to do their part.

So. And then Mary Jane will appreciate this. Another local business man, an entrepreneur,

Eli Field who was my guest in February. Yes, he was. He has a new EP officially out on Spotify and

Apple. So be sure to look for those. He's a second son to me. So shout out to Eli. I love you.

So how are we doing at time? They're maximally and thanks a million. We have one minute and a half.

So very good. So again, I want to thank everybody for hearing me out of my, my, um,

my, what do you call it? Getting on my soap box or whatever that is. But I think it's important

for me to share my opinions. Again, welcome to hear any calls. We're taking calls in the civic

media app, but um, again, hearing, you know, acting locally with some of the issues we've had with

their small business community in Waukesha. You know, we have someone like Jessica Smith that

has the opportunity to take her dream to another town in this great country of ours. And so we

want to, we want to make sure that that flexibility that that freedom continues. So, um, but, um,

in this little short segment before, um, we move on. Um, how's all the moving preparations

been going? And when do you open in Burlington? Um, the tentative opening is August,

first weekend of August. And then hopefully the grand opening will be like the weekend of the

16th, 17th and 18th. So it's kind of bittersweet because I open in Waukesha September 16th. So it's

very similar dates, but yeah, just the timing of it, I guess. So yeah.

Well, and I think it'll be in the middle of August. So it'll be a great time, I think,

to have an opening. Yeah. And a summer, you know, early fall, hopefully the weather cooperates,

but we should have a good time. So that sounds great. So well, the conversation continues with

Jessica Smith and Flipp and fabulous. And um, some lessons learned here in downtown Waukesha,

and what we can look forward to, uh, from Jessica in the future here on this week in Waukesha,

on Waukesha 540 AM 101.1 FM Desha.

Hey, you're listening to this week in Waukesha on Waukesha 540 AM 101.1 FM and the Civic Media app.

Download it if you haven't already because you can call into my show that way. Just press on

the little phone icon and it works like magic. And uh, when you're traveling throughout the state,

there's 20 plus other stations you can check in on that app. And in some of these areas,

you can get brewers games or badgers, packers games. You can also get great local news. And when

you're traveling for those of you who have, um, second home summer homes, um, throughout the state,

it's a great opportunity to find out what's going on locally in your community. There's also some great

music only, music and news only stations that are just fantastic. I, one of my guilty pleasures is

the WRJN in Racine that went back to its old format. And there's some really great oldies on

there that I really have a fun time listening to. And so again, if you're bored to tears,

get the Civic Media app and tune into WRJN. There's also like I said, there's some great stations

that are just country. And so whatever your favorite genre of music is, uh, chances are you will

find it. So Max, what are you going to say? I think, uh, I think, uh, the WRPQ, my old station,

hometown station down in the out in the boo, the bare boo, and the oldies show from the county

fair this morning. Oh, cool. Oh, wow, how fun. That's great. Thanks for sharing.

Max. That's fantastic. Hey, and also this just in. I don't, you know, I don't get to say this

very often on a weekly radio show, but you may have heard it first here. Markelle Moore has resigned

yesterday effective July 12th from the school district block of Shaw's Board of Education. He's

leaving to pursue a graduate teaching fellowship. So congratulations to him on that. He became a board

member in April 22 and was involved in communities, including human resources and compensation.

Student services, uh, teaching and learning in a few others. So it is going to be an appointment

process. So pay attention to that. And I think if it works the same way as city council,

you would, uh, the person that gets appointed by, you know, proved by a majority of the board members

serves for one year. And then I think has to run in a general election. So if you have a strong

background in education, uh, I would highly encourage you to fill out an application. And, um,

looking forward to sharing more news with you on that next week's show. So, um, next week's show,

by the way. And this, it'll be announced. We'll talk about more in the Carol minute is, um,

Garrett Holly, uh, one of the members of the Carol University coaching staff who was recently

promoted to defensive coordinator. So very excited to have him on the show next week. And I'll be

appearing via, um, steam stream married out from Kansas City. So, uh, Coach Holly will actually

be sitting in my seat. So in some ways, maybe he may even take over the show. So that's, uh,

we're here again with Jessica Smith for those of you just tuning in now from Flip and Fabulous,

a store on Main Street that, um, is leaving after two years as an exciting opportunity in Burlington.

But it's very grateful from the support she had from so many patrons and other businesses here

in Waukesha. Yep. Absolutely. Yep. But did face some bumps on the road that many of us find to be

unfair or just really out of character for what, uh, the spirit of Waukesha on Waukesha strong should

stand for. So the mic is yours, Jessica. Jump in. Uh, I just basically want to take another moment to

just thank the community and the support system that I received. Uh, Robin Graham from the city

of Waukesha was a huge help in the beginning. Um, as I mentioned before, the police department for

keeping us safe during Friday night live and all the other events, parades, um, you know, the,

obviously the Christmas parade, the Fourth of July parade. Um, and then I absolutely,

my business neighbors, Aloe chocolate was very, very warm and welcoming. Um, Norm Bruce,

Eve Bruce with Martha Marles, Laurie with Divino Gelato. Um, overall, I just received a very warm

welcome. And I'm thankful for the opportunity to be here. And I'm also excited for the future.

So I do believe I said in one of my lives that when one door closes, another door opens,

and this one just opened for a greater opportunity. And it just came at the right time. So,

you know, unfortunately, I was very, very sad and very upset at first, but I've learned to just

turn those emotions and use them to power moving forward. So I just kept telling my customers,

you know, onward and upwards. So that's the theme we're going with. So,

truly now you live in win lakes. I apologize. My geography is not very strong. Is that make

a better commute for you? It's a, it's a, it's a couple minutes shorter. So it's about five,

five minutes or so. It saves me in travel time. So, yeah. And what is it about the Burlington

community that attracted you most to? I have been following them for a while. I actually have two

friends that own local businesses there. And I see them working together, supporting one another,

collaborating. The other thing I really liked is the Chamber of Commerce is called Experience

Burlington. And they call their members, so to speak, partners. So it just makes you feel

even more powerful and more welcoming, if you will. So it just sets off a very positive vibe.

And they, they're very active on their social media, which is very beneficial. So, yeah.

Okay. You know, I appreciate sharing that and it begs the question. And we'll give Mary Jane

a chance to chime in after she opens the door. She's letting somebody in.

Do we, it'd be interesting to know what we, how much we investigate other communities,

best practices and also learning lessons. And so I do like that idea of partners.

Yes. The way that the Chamber of Burlington does. Because essentially we are, we are all partners

in this experiment to build community, both at the local level and then statewide and nationally.

Yeah. And really collaborating is a, is a huge deal in small business. If you encounter other

businesses that don't want to work together, it really does kind of hinder your growth. And it kind

of hinders your mindset where if people are open and warm and receptive, that really plays a

huge part in growing your business and attracting the right people to the community and the downtown

area. So yeah, that was huge. Perfect. And so as a full, as a full-time business owner and

printer, how much time are you able to allow yourself for, you know, personal life, things that

you and Scott and family get to do together? Honestly, not much. That was one of the big,

that was one of the big things. Initially, it was just, I'm like, oh, I'll be able to like,

hire help. But it's like, I'm not a control freak, but I like things down a specific way.

So I've been having a really hard time like relinquishing, if you will, or here, take the wheel.

You know, like, this is my baby. This is something I built. I didn't have help or, you know,

this is 100% fully funded and fully, you know, it's me or nothing. But I am to answer your question,

we're trying to balance the work-life balance. So we do have two granddaughters now, and they're

sitting with us for the summer. So that actually makes it really hard to say no, because when you

have a three-year-old going, come on, Grammy, come play with me, like you can't do. You two are

grandparents. Wow. So we really, we have really good genes. Thanks, mom. Okay.

Really good genes. And just I had my daughter young. She had her family young, but, you know, she,

she got married and stuff, where I kind of did it backwards. But it's, again, she learned.

I'm very envious because I'm the youngest of 10. My parents were 36 when they had me. Sure.

And by the way, it's a shout out to my, my, my grandma Mac and my aunt, it's her birth. It would be

your 120, 126th birthday today. And I was very close to both my grandmother. So thinking of her

family on the stay. Sure. But what I found as unique to Wisconsin is that there, I think there may be

more great-grandmothers here than most dates, because I said, I obviously didn't know my great-grandparents.

My father didn't even know his grandparents since his, his parents were immigrants from Ireland.

But I've met so many, my wife's family, her grandmother had lived a pretty long life.

You got to know many of her great-grandchildren. And I think that's a real gift. I mean, to have

not only grandparents, but great-grandparents, like how cool is that. And so you guys are in great

shape to know your, your great-grandchildren. That was one thing. When we first heard, I'm like, I'm

not even 40. But then like moving forward, everybody was like, well, you're going to be around when,

you know, she graduates high school. At least I hope, I hope I will be, you know, but it's like,

we're going to be there for all the milestones. So yeah. And women, women do live longer than men.

And if you check YouTube, you'll find a why. Sure, sure. I heard that. Yeah. So, but no, I'm reminded

of a funny story. I was, when I was in the trade show industry, we'd met a good customer and

one of those little social hours after the trade show floor closes. And the guy was telling us,

how he's, he'd, he'd learn that his grandson had gotten a young woman in trouble as a teenager,

a lot of wetlock in a pond hearing the news. He turns to his wife and says, I don't know if I'm old

enough to be sleeping with a great-grandmother. Of course, his wife wasn't amused, but I got

to, but no, congrats on you. Hold your grandchildren. Three and one month old. Yeah. That's such a fun,

fun, fun, fun time. Yeah. Our baby is 14 now. Oh, yeah. If I'm lucky, I may get an occasional hug

in or something fun. The teenagers are great. But yeah, well, it's really the tween years that are

all right. That's true. That she's a high school. I think the worst is behind in that regard. Yeah.

No, yep. All the hormones and balance and everything. Yep. Yep. So how many children do you

and Scott have? We are a blended family. So we have four together. Yeah. So our oldest is 23.

They're not twins. They just, you know, again, blended family and then our stepdaughter. Our oldest

are like six months apart. Yeah. So, and then 21 and 18. So, or no, am I right, Scott? Yeah.

20 and 18. Sorry. Sorry, list. The Browns and the Smiths. Yeah. It sounds so Anglo. I know. We're

going to have to go out some night. Oh, for sure. Share some more stories about blended family drama.

Yeah. We were actually very blessed. Like when our kids met, honest to God, like there wasn't a lot

of fighting. The kids just went together like peanut butter and jelly. So we were very blessed.

We were friends. Our kids were friends first. Yep. Before my wife and I became like best friends

and love and all that. Yeah. Yeah. Yesterday was our 14th anniversary. So we had the anniversary

lesson. We celebrated with a lovely dinner as always at Tufti's table. Oh, yeah. And you got

to book your reservations. There are two weeks in advance. And that's the soonest or latest you

can do it because of the way the app works for the reservations. You can't make a reservation three

months in advance. So you really got to set your clock. But I get there and there's already a line

starts forming. So I'm like, boy, am I glad I made my resies at VIP. Yeah. So, but it's always great.

It was good to see Dr. Christina. Yes. Another great small business. Yes. They are the top

pieces of amazing things with steaming cup and top destable. Yes. Yeah. Christina was a good help

to in the beginning. So yeah. Thank you to both of them. The top dees are good people. So

love to hear it. So we're tripping. So you're packing things up in Waukeshaw. Yep. Yep.

You're getting ready for them. Is there any time for vacation for you once got? I actually told

my husband. I'm like, you know what we need to do? We just need to go somewhere. Even if it's a

staycation for four or five days, we seriously need to unplug before the crazy restart.

I love me a good staycation. Yes. Especially I don't think there's many better places than

Milwaukee area in the summer. Even a Waukeshaw with all the activities and events. All the activities.

Yeah. Lake Geneva is another one of our favorites, but it's just getting busier and busier. But,

you know, it's summer. So we only have about three months. Yeah. You know.

And here yeah. So very good. Very good. So, um,

was it? Oh, that's how I asked you is when you were here in Waukeshaw. How many days of the week

were you was flipping fabulous open? I started out at five days a week and then. And that was what,

Wednesday through Sunday. Okay. So mostly on the weekends and then a few hours, Wednesdays and

Sundays. And then when fall hit and the packers were playing, I noticed a huge decline. I mean,

everybody wanted to watch the game, obviously. Sure. So then I decided to close on Sundays. And

then eventually, Wednesdays, Wednesdays were pretty slow. And most businesses downtown are closed

at least Monday, but then I made the executive decision. It was just me to basically close Wednesdays

and Sundays. So I was open Thursday, Friday, Saturdays. So somewhat limited hours, but that's

what worked for me. And that's what made sense financially. And again, because I am one employee,

it's like, you know, you got to balance it out. So. Well, and that's the thing again,

someone that's been involved in a small business. One of the challenges was trying to get

all the businesses in that same district open seven days a week. Right. Right. And restaurants,

it's a little bit more manageable because you're training people. You need people and you train

them. And if you have good systems, you as an owner can take those one or two neat nights off and

have somebody else run the shop with a retail concept like yours. You know, that's, that's not as easy

to know. And a lot of people I noticed like the prime hours, Roy's, excuse me, the later morning,

early afternoon, once dinner time hits, it gets busy downtown. Yes. But for retail, not so much.

Like they're going to chef pams for a class or, you know, they're going to Tofties for dinner.

So, you know, where people's park, you know, it's like the retail side kind of slows down around

dinner time. So, yeah. So you just kind of follow the trends. Interesting. And learn as you go. So.

Sure. Yeah. How was was Friday night live? Would you say that was a good

impetus for your business? I'll be honest, the exposure was really, really good.

I noticed my first Friday night live, which was 2023, you know, because I did move in in the fall.

Sure. 2023 Friday night live, the attendance was pretty good. This year, however, in my opinion,

I think the attendance was way down. And I mean, that was just my experience. But, you know,

we did get rained out one time. And then the other thing was it got canceled. And then it ended

up not raining. But, you know, so it did upset a lot of people in the community. And we definitely

heard about it. But I mean, again, like they make the final call and we really don't, you know,

have a say. So. Sure. But yeah. Sure. But it is very, very important that you guys go out and

support the businesses on Friday night live, because it does take, it takes a huge crew to put

that out. And, you know, put it on. So we wrap up this first hour with Jessica Smith, who will

share some more thoughts about her time in Waukesha. And favorite memories and what we can look

forward to in the future here at this weekend Waukesha WK 540 AM 101.1 FM this shot.

And the Civic Media app. And one of my favorite tunes, the jam within the city. And in this city

of Waukesha that I love, there's a thousand things I want to say to you. And tell you about the

young idea to that long history, but a very youthful approach to life here. I feel in Waukesha

with all the great offerings we have. We're just talking with Jessica Smith about Friday night live.

And you were also talking about Walktober. Yes. Walktober is huge. It is the beer and wine walk of

downtown Waukesha. And it brings in its limited tickets, limited availability. And in my experience,

they go extremely fast. And it is huge for small businesses down there. Even if you're not a

participating or serving business, it's a huge crowd. It's great exposure. It's lots of community

members and their families. It's a great way to interact with them. And that's usually like a

Saturday in October, correct? Correct. I believe, yeah, Saturdays in October. Well, usually like

mid-October, yes. And it is put on by the city. But it's a great event.

Sounds great. You know, and we need to cover that more. We've talked about it on previous shows

in a timely fashion. But we're also looking forward to Walkshan Lock that starts up again.

We had it two years ago. And WAUK will be participating in that. So that will be a lot of fun.

And it was really a one-off as part of the 125th anniversary commemorations. But it was so well

received by the community that people wanted more. So we did a second one the year later. And then we

this city decided to skip a year and start back up again this year. And so I think that'll be

a lot of fun. Great way to sell up to really educate people and all the wonderful things going on

here in this beautiful city. And so with your new gig in Burlington, do you find yourself,

you and Scott finding opportunities to come back here? Maybe grab dinner? Yeah. Like I always tell

customers, it's not goodbye. We're going to be back here. Like my best friend lives very close

down the street to downtown. I love the gelato. I love that like people's park.

Michelin's was always a favorite. We love Bascals. We're huge dog people. So we personally won't

bring our dogs because one of them isn't so friendly. It's dog friendly. It's got the dog,

which is awesome. And that's the other thing. Like I had a lot of customers that would bring their

dogs in and they're like, can we bring them in? But I would say, yeah, bring them in. You know,

it's like we love dogs. And I just love the fact that Bascals lets you bring a dog to the bar.

And they have the nice caddy. And I mean, people's park, the rooftop. That's one of the best,

you know, one of the best views in Watch Dogs. I honestly didn't know that about Bascals.

Yeah. It's dog friendly. If you go in there, they have all dog themed decor, but they actually

let dogs sit on the bar stools at the bar. Oh, really? Yeah. And they serve popcorn, which is cool.

So that's nice. Yeah. I knew they had the patio and back. Yeah. The patio is very nice. They

have the bags toss and yeah, nice little private area for dogs. It's very dog friendly. So

that's great. I was there for I believe it was a 40th birthday party for our friend former

softball mom, Brenda Schaefer. Okay. Who's in there? Her name precedes herself in a lot of

Watch Dogs circles. And she's been instrumental in feeding guests to this week in Watch Dogs.

She's really on top of what's going on in the community. And we're going to be, I guess it was

for father and her brother or active in the Watch Dogs youth wrestling program. Oh, yeah.

And they have a big anniversary. So we're looking forward to having them out in the fall to talk

about that. Very cool. So, but you know, that's I love is because as a as a transplant like yourself,

I have made so many friends and found a lot of opportunities to really feel a part of the

community. Right. And take advantage of so many things. And so it's glad to hear that even though

you'll be leaving us a main street that you're still going to continue to be a friend in the

visitor of the city. And you're always welcome to come back on the show too to give maybe give

some tips on what's going on. You know, some some holiday gift tips and as well as some perspectives

on local business economy, I think that would be really neat to have. Absolutely. I'd like to

have you and Scott back and Maxie, how are we doing on time? Four minutes. Oh, yeah. So we're good.

But is there anything that we haven't covered in this time together that you want people

watch out and know about you? I mean, I just slip and fabulous. My main point and coming on here

was just to really emphasize the importance of supporting small business.

Norm Bruce wrote months ago before I even went public about everything going on. You know, he said

you need to support small businesses before there's nothing left to support. And that statement

just it really is true. Like there's big box stores like Walmart Target, you know, but the small

businesses we work so hard like we're the ones that support the baseball teams, the football teams,

the local charities. I've given back thousands to the community and donations, you know, charitable

contributions, whether it's gift baskets, monetary donations, like small business is the backbone

of the community. So it's important that you support all of them while they're there, you know,

and as a business owner, I can't stress enough how important it is to work together with other

business owners when you're given the chance because it's just crucial to growing and attracting

customers, growing your business, you know, creating a thriving community. Like that really is

the the basics of running a small business, you know, and word of mouth is always the best referral.

So, you know, a little self-same plug. Sure, sure. So that's terrific. And you know, any other

any other plans for the new store that may be different from what you're doing? Yeah, so we are

changing it up a little bit. We are it's kind of like a new concept for me. So we're going to have

my boutique like in the front set up like it was. Okay. And then in the middle of the store, there's

going to be consignment vendors which they get to set up their own space. So we have about 20 local

artists and small businesses that are going to come in and set up everything from antiques,

which we didn't have antiques, vintage collectibles. Okay. We have a themed area that's called the

country cottage, which is like primitives and cottage style. And then we have fabulous fines,

which is like all the handmade goods. And then I have a section called unique boutiques,

which is like apparel and accessories. And then there's you'll love this. There's a chair in the

corner. Scott already tested it out, but it's going to have a sign that says husband daycare.

And it has a bell that says ring for service, but the bell the bell doesn't work.

And then we I mean, we really put a lot of thought into this. The music will be playing. We have

a little air and like a little dorm fridge next to be some beers or a half, but no, it's really

hard to get an alcohol service. We'll be playing some good tunes also. Okay. Yeah, I hope

some puzzles or games. Yeah, yeah. Little trivia. Yeah. No, that's really clever. I think that's

good. Yeah, we're trying to make it a one-stop gift shop. And it's the basic is the goal

ultimately is support small business. So you're obviously going to have more square footage

than what you want. Yeah, we're and that was a big thing. We wanted the opportunity to expand. So

I went from about 900 square feet here in Waukesha to 2000. Okay. So it's over doubling. And then

the other big thing was the parking lot. So we're able to do a private events. We're able to have

food trucks. That that was huge for us. So that was great. Yeah. Jessica Smith, a flippant fabulous

moving from Wall Street to Burlington, but keeps Waukesha on her heart. Thanks.

Not well. It's okay. But I mean, keeping me keeping Waukesha on your heart. Oh, yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Thanks to you and Scott for joining us. We know it's not

goodbye. It's just a good luck in Waukesha. Good luck in Burlington and come see you in Burlington.

Yes. And definitely a smith and the browns will have to go out some night and share our blended

family experiences. Yeah. It'll be a great time. Stick around for hour two. My guest, Amy

Lisa Azema is already in studio to talk about her new book and her experiences. As this

week in Waukesha continues on Wauk 540 AM 101.1 FM.

July 13th, 2024. If it's 8 o'clock, that's every morning. It's still time for this week in

Waukesha and Wauk 8. Excuse me. I take a little water there. Drive out. Again, I'm your host,

down Brown, coming to you live in local from the office of former Alderman, down Paul Brown.

I got mighty max on the board. And before we introduce our next guest, we've got Jane

Matt near a very own from as goes Wisconsin, calling in from the farmers market. Jane, how are you today?

I am great. Don Brown. Thank you very much. The show, by the way, is Matt Nair on air. You can

listen. I'm sorry. God, terrible. On Friday, across the civic media radio network. It is a

beautiful morning to be out here at the Waukesha farmers market. It really is lovely right now.

If you want to avoid the hot heat, which is coming in later on today, I suggest you come out and

join us right now. There's everything you could possibly need at the Waukesha farmers market

located in the parking lot of the Waukesha State Bank right next to the river. There's all kinds

of bakery, bread, pies. Of course, my favorite scones in the world, grass-fed beef, produce. You

piled in piles of the most beautiful carrots and onions and potatoes, radishes, lettuce. If you're

looking for it, it is here at the Waukesha farmers market. If you're looking to do a little shopping,

maybe you have a birthday coming up. There's pottery, there's jewelry, soaps, all kinds of flowers,

beautiful, huge sunflowers, incredible lilies. And then if you're looking for a snack, trust me,

there are at least five different food trucks here that will take care of whatever you're hungry for,

empanadas, breakfast sandwiches. You name it, it's here. Stop by the Civic Media Tenth. You can

register to win a great bicycle. We've also got treats for your dogs and we have good candy today

for the kids. So I hope you all come out and join us at the Waukesha farmers market. We are here

until noon today. There's a Jane McNair for WAUK Radio back to you, Don.

Thank you, Jane. Jane McNair, McNair on air Monday through Fridays, 10 to 12. My apologies to Jane.

As goes to Wisconsin was the flagship show that she was involved with before rebranding, reinventing

to McNair on air. It's a fantastic show. I'm very embarrassed for that senior moment, that 57-year-old

senior moment. I hope Jane won't hold that against me, but we are so grateful to have Jane as part

of this WAUK Radio and Civic Media team. She has a wealth of experience. Many of you may remember her

time with with TMJ and it's just and this is probably her third third time covering the Waukesha

farmers market, which really says a lot about what a great market it is and Max, what do you got there?

I actually got to do a school project with Jane. It was for my final for a field production

TV class this year. It was for a biography project, just a three to five minute one. It was actually

super nice. I got to spend two basically two whole days with Jane just going through what she does

and her experience. The stuff that she had to offer for my project, just for a little school project,

I think it was pretty incredible. Thanks for sharing that, Max, because Jane is a rock star and

again, I apologize for that hiccup. I owe her a maple bacon scone if I can make it to the

farmer's market. That's one of her favorite items there. After the show, but I'm so excited to

introduce my second guest. Thank you for reaching out. Amy Lee Sazema. I pronounced your surname

It did actually. You did. That was great. Amy is a fitness and yoga instructor here at the YMCA

in Waukesha. And she's now an author with her first book coming out based on some life experiences.

It's called Fleetwood Dreams, Climbing a Mountain after a landslide. Amy, welcome. Thank you so

much, Don, for having me. I really appreciate it. Sure. So what inspired you to write this book?

Good question. You're just going right into it. I love it. I've always wanted to, I've

actually always wanted to be a writer. I went to school for journalism at UW Whitewater. That's

right. Yep. And I actually originally wanted to do something in broadcasting. So interesting.

Yes. I interned at different television stations around here, one in Madison and a radio station

actually. Nice. So that was my goal. And I ended up getting out of that because I really liked

the creative side of writing. Sure. I like news, but I just want to go a little bit deeper.

Okay. So I always envisioned myself writing a book, but I never knew what it was actually going

to be about. Maybe a children's book. Sure. Maybe a nonfiction. I don't know. And then I felt

at one point, okay, I have enough life experience that maybe I can do, I can write a memoir.

And so that's kind of how it transpired. And I felt like my heart just pulled me into it, really.

Nice. Yeah. So it, um, because I said, I think I told you off air when I first saw the title,

I thought that again, because you're, uh, you're involved in physical fitness that you actually

climbed them out and were caught in the landslide. And you, and it was about, you know,

physicists, but it's, it's much more figurative than that. Like I said, that would be a really

cool story. I wish I could tell you that I fell in climbed up a mountainifully, but um,

yes, it is much more figurative than that, yep. Sure. Sure. So it's very much dealing about lost.

Yes. Lost, yep. Loss grief hardship. Um, Yep, and and my road to healing.

Nice, nice. So in where does it, uh, where does Fleetwood dreams come from?

And I apologize if I miss that. No, no, no, good, good question. A lot of people have asked

me that so that is not, you don't need to apologize for that, but Fleetwood dreams actually

comes from Fleetwood Mac, one of my favorites. That's going to be my guess. Yep. That is exactly

right. You guessed right. Um, and some of the memories that I had growing up with, you know,

my parents both loved Fleetwood Mac. It was always blaring in the background in their house.

And I just felt like, I don't know if it's just me, but I feel like all of us have kind of a theme,

like a theme song for our life and for our group or a band, whatever. And I always felt like

for me, it was Fleetwood Mac. And I feel like throughout the book, there's undertones of Fleetwood Mac.

Right. Um, and, you know, during the good times, the hard times, um, the celebrations. And so

I had to, it just, it hit me one day. I was at the library right away. And I was like,

it's gotta be, it's gotta be Fleetwood dreams. This is, you know, and I felt like it went really

well with like the hope side of it too. Sure. Sure. Yeah. So, um,

sharing with personal, so growing up in a big family, I got influenced, I had a lot of great musical

influences through my siblings. Yeah. I referred to Max as the mighty Max. And it's,

mighty, uh, it's Max Weinberg of the street band, Bruce Springsteen's drummer. Yeah. And again,

it cute, you know, surrounded by a lot of Springsteen growing up. But also in 1977,

Fleetwood Mac came out with its opus of the rumors album. It's, it ranks up there with like

Carol King's tapestry as one of the great albums of all time. Yes. And it's just, it's just an

anthem of great, you know, full crack music. And many people forget this. But Fleetwood Mac started

out as a blues band. It was like blues rock. It's real heavily driven. And as they kept changing

members and they added, um, Lindsey Buckingham and, um, Stevie Nicks, that it then gravitated

towards that full crack that it'd become. That was trending then in the 70s. But they really nailed

it. They nailed it. And that is actually the album, the rumors album that, um, my parents listened

to all the time. Wow. And it's funny because even now I teach yoga and I'm over at Carol College

too. And I have some Fleetwood Mac on my playlist. You're teaching it, Carol. I teach yoga. Yeah.

So I teach over at Carol College at WCTC. I bounce around everywhere. Sure. I'm mostly home with

my daughter. She's my number one. I do. I live over by Wakshaw West with my husband and my

daughter. Um, but it's funny. I feel like I'm working now that I'm home with my daughter

than I was working before because all the hours that I work writing my book. Yeah.

I'm the group exercise coordinator at the Y. It's got to all be around her schedule. So I'm like,

how am I, how do I feel like I'm working more now than I do before? But, okay. But anyways,

so I had some Fleetwood Mac. I always like to put a couple of their songs on, on my playlist

when we're doing yoga and I also teach Pilates as well. Nice. And it's funny because even the younger

generation knows about Fleetwood Mac. They're like, oh, this, you know, I'm like, I wonder if they

even know who this is. And they're like, we love that song. Um, and it's, it's, to me,

it's someone I kind of grew up in that era that it's a great testament to how these bands

survive the test of time. I feel like there's kids that love Led Zeppelin. People love the Beatles

and the Rolling Stones and, uh, and even some of those, you know, bands that, uh, and this,

like, grateful dad and other one. And so it is very pleasing to see that those influences continue.

And, uh, especially a set of that that went out with Fleetwood Mac rumors.

Oh, it was so good. And I feel like you know, if it's like a good book, a good song, a good movie,

if you can listen to it over and over again and you don't get sick of it. Yeah.

And I feel like that for me, and I wanted to name my daughter Stevie, too, but my husband could

put the, put the Kabash on there. So we went with Penelope, but Penelope, yes, you know,

I guess it's Stephanie Stevie. Penelope, yes, yes. So yeah, at least we had that, but, um,

Oh, is that your middle name then? No, it's not. I wish. I wish. No, it's Ann, but her last name,

we got the, we got the S at the end. But, um, but yeah, I just love Stevie next. Sure.

So here's what I have to ask is, uh, as a writer that's been trying to get some things published.

Like I've had magazine articles published and other, um, I wrote this article for them.

The teamster's commemoration tomorrow, then really proud of it was well received. But, uh,

I want to write a book and, but it's just even with the work, my client work and working from home,

it's like next to impossible with kids and the wife and another, you know, and, uh, all these other

distractions. How do you make it work? Oh, that is a really good question. Especially with the five

year old, especially with the five year old, and I started this book two years ago. So she was three,

which was even more hard. I mean, she dimensioned a lot of attention and she's always been my number one

priority. But, um, how do you make it work? You have to be really disciplined and you have to set

aside the time that you're actually going to write. And I think sometimes we get in the, the mindset

where if we can't actually think of something that day and we're not in our writer's mindset,

we just give up. Yeah. But I still use that time to look at old photographs or just jot notes

down. Like I was like, this is an hour or two a day and I'm, I'm going to sit here until something

comes out, whether it's just a note, a thought, memory, yeah, anything I wanted to add and not give up.

Um, and I spent a lot of hours over at the workshop public library. They actually knew my first name

because when my daughter went to three K over at St. Luke's, I went there. The whole country was at

school. Oh, nice. So they were just like, Hey, Amy, we got a great library. We do have a great

library, actually. I actually enjoyed hanging out there. And they've done so much, you know,

remodeling there and I was like, this is, this is actually relaxing over here. So I would go

in one of their conference rooms and they knew me. They were just like, Hey, Amy, and I would shut

the door and put my headphones on and just focus on writing. Um, so it was that local coffee shops,

but I think the big thing to stay on track is making sure that you put it on your calendar like a job

like and sticking with it. Because I think there's that flexibility with writing, but like it's not like

a nine to five or I have to be here. I have to write, but just dedicating that. Yeah. Having those

critical deadlines. Yes. An interesting fact. I feel like once you actually get into like the

meat of what you're writing. Yeah. Now it's hard to shut off. Now you've just opened the

can of worms and you're walking. That's what I want to hear. Yes. So you can do it. You can do it.

Sounds great. The conversation continues with Amy, Lisa, Emma, plus the Carol minute coming up

and then we'll be hearing from Jane again with the second leg of our Framers market report here.

And this week in Waukeshaw WAK 540 AM 101.1 FM. The shot. Be sure to download the Civic Media app

so you can take this week in Waukeshaw and all the other great program against the

Civic Media anywhere you go. Oh, no.

Oh,

here listening to this week in Waukeshaw WAK our two I'm your host Tom Brown. I am joined by

Amy Lee Sazema and before we dive into the carol minutes, that song there was out of the darkness

by Little Steven, one of my favorite artists. Also a member of the E Street Band along with Mighty

Max. And I refer to that song because in the previous segment and acting locally, thinking globally,

I made some strong political stands. And I encourage everyone to check out my podcast page on

wakradio.com. Just click on shows and then pick my show. And it's important to listen to previous

last week. We had Kathleen Cummings on sharing her experiences overcoming a 30,

30 month or deal on charges of election fraud that she was acquitted on. And her redemption

tour that also continued she was on her Earl Ingram show this week. And then before we had

Stephanie Olson who had survived a really brutal sexual assault in her own store, but was instrumental

in catching the assailant and delivering ultimate justice to him and continues to be an advocate

for other women or anyone that's been at suffered any type of assault. So check out those

shows and learn more about what's going on in our lovely city, Waukeshaw if you haven't already.

But we're glad you're here now. And for the carol moment, I'm really pleased to announce that

the carol university football team has announced that they have a new defensive coordinator.

And that's a Garen Holley who served as the pioneer special teams coordinator the past three

years. And he also serves as Carol athletics diversity, equity and inclusion representative

and student work director. And he's a terrific guy, lovely guy, great family man. And he's done so

much for Carol already. I'm really excited about seeing him in this role as defensive coordinator

taking off, taking over for Zach Feffer who is he's vacated his football career as pursuing

other interests. And we certainly wish him well, but we're excited to have Coach Holley on the show

next week. So tune in for that. But also I got an email. I believe was yesterday this morning

from Anika King from the class of 23 at Carol was Carol University social media specialist.

And so we're really glad that she reached out and have invited her to contribute any news and

information that we she would like us to share in the carol minute coming up. So more to look

forward to. But back here with my guest, Amy Lee, Sazema, we talked about her new book Fleetwood

Dreams. And it's climbing a mountain after a landslide after a landslide. That's right. And landslides

another fluid Max song. Yeah, it actually is. I think the first the first part of the song is

a first part of the title is dedicated to our family's favorite band. Your parents and yours

I'll fluid Mac. And so we've had some good conversations about favorite fluid Max songs.

Another one to mine is Gypsy. Oh, I love Gypsy. I love Gypsy. Again, when MTV first hit the scene,

like that was one of the better videos. Was it? Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. I've never seen the Gypsy video.

Oh, my God. It's great. Okay. Stevie Nick's pretty much. Yeah. I mean, the whole band's in it,

but it focuses on her. And it's just really well done. You know what's interesting is I've been just

typing in Stevie Nick's on my Apple playlist. And I'm actually hearing songs. I've never heard.

I know she has like some newer stuff. But I'm like, they just keep. I don't know. It surprises me.

Yeah. She continues to perform and do great things. And so it's exciting. And it's exciting.

Meaning somebody a younger person that was big and fluid Mac, like long before that came out

long before you were born. Yeah. So very cool stuff. So can you share some of the kind of maybe

personal moments that the book focuses on? Sure. Sure. Yeah. I'm comfortable. I better get

comfortable, right? That's what books about. Yeah. But yeah. So I lost my mom and my twin brother

tragically. I know. I know. So I was 16 when I lost my mom unexpectedly.

22 when I lost my brother. And those were just those are really hard times to lose your

because it's like right before your senior year. Yeah. At a moment where you're just going to go out

in the world and you just want to have a positive start. And it was like, oh, but then when I was

a junior in college, my twin brother was actually killed, which is another part of the book. I wasn't

going to say, because I was like, oh, people. No, no, I think it's good. But I realized it's actually

in the summary. So people are going to know that. Yeah. But it was really, really unexpected,

obviously, and tragic. And I just thought my life's over. I mean, I feel like anybody that's

gone through a hard loss and grief. It's just it's tragic. It's hard to put yourself up from

yeah. But I did with and again, in the synopsis of the book, but with a few hard lessons along the

way. Yeah. And so I always thought about writing about it, but I just wasn't comfortable really

going back to those places. And that's another thing about writing a book. I think it's easier.

Yes, it is healing, but it is hard because you go back to those places and then you have to

shut it off and be a parent or go to work, you know, we all wear many hats. Sure, sure.

But then I had another last three years ago, an aunt that I was really close to. And that's when

I was like, you know what? It was interesting. I handled all those losses different. I think

because they all happened at different ages and different points in my life. Sure. When you're young,

it's a little more immature. How you might handle it. Yeah. And then when you're older, there's a

maturity about it. Right. Well, we all eventually experienced this, and especially being a parent,

you don't really have the choice of laying in bed all day and sulking or, you know, doing other

things that, you know, to mask the pain. And that's when I just felt like my heart really pulled me.

My daughter was in 3k, like I said, and one day I just like went to the library. I had so much

inside of me and I just sat there and started writing. And I was like, and then I sat and wrote

more and more and more and it just eventually all just came out. Most, most people don't realize

the therapeutic power of writing, even if you're not a good writer, when you get all those emotions

out on paper, suddenly you find yourself completely exhausted in a good way. Yeah. And it's almost

like you've forgotten what you're angry about or sad about. Yeah. Or at least, I mean, you don't

necessarily forget, but you feel like a huge weight's been lifted off your shoulders because you've

pushed it out of your system in one way or another. Yeah, it actually has been really healing

because I feel like for many years, I was like, I don't want to talk about that. I mean, nobody

wants to talk about the hard stuff in life. It's awesome. And especially like I've always been a

little bubbly by nature. Sure. And then it's like this imbalance of like, oh, here comes this bubbly

person, but she has all this, you know, deep, deep stuff inside of her. But I also feel like

I force myself to be very vulnerable. And I felt that that was really important because I think

if we can be vulnerable, it gives other people a chance to be vulnerable. Yes. And I've experienced

that too. Yeah. And that's also one of my charges is raising greater awareness for mental health.

Yes. It's important for people to recognize that admitting vulnerability is a strength

that's an act of courage. Yes. And it's important to healing and growth and so many other things.

But we're looking forward to continuing this conversation and learning more about Amy

Lee Sazema's new book Fleetwood Dreams plus Jane Matt near from Matt near any early joining us in

the second leg of the farmers market report. And then we're looking forward to this call in from

Bob Habish talking about his experiences in the 25th anniversary of the iron workers tragedy

at the Miller Park construction. And so much more here in this week and walk Sean WK 540 AM 101.1 FM

The Shaw. And please download the sitting media app if you have not already. Oh yeah.

Great. Oh.

We're wasting time in the unlawful lines sitting around waiver promotion. Don't you know

talking about the revolution sounds. This week and walk is shot on WK 540 AM 101.1 FM

and the sitting media app I'm your host down Brown and we're pleased to have back which gives me

another opportunity for redemption. Jane Matt near from Matt near on air. Mondays through Fridays

10 to 12 who is our correspondent at the Waka Shaw farmers markets. Jane how's everything going?

It is beautiful down here done and you've got it right. Thank you so much for that.

No, we are going to be out here until noon today. Come on down to the Waka Shaw farmers market.

It is in the parking lot of the Waka Shaw State Bank right along the river here. If you stop

by the sitting media tent, you have a chance to register for this great brand new bicycle. We have

some suckers for the kids. We have treats for your dogs. In fact, we just met an obviously killer

vicious attack puppy, a four-month-old docks and puppy named Zorro. Stop by with your Zorro and

we'll get him a treat. Speaking of dogs, you can actually get your dogs and nails clipped here.

They also have homemade dog treats. You name it. It's here at the Waka Shaw Farmers Market.

Grass-fed beef, carrots, onions, potatoes, radishes, piles of them, piles of lettuce,

fresh bakery pies and scones and bread. If you're hungry, not a problem, all kinds of food trucks,

street waffles, fresh donuts, lemonade and bananas and of course the greatest scones on the

face of the planet. In fact, I bought five of them. If anybody wants to stop by the tent and try

one of these scones, I will offer you a scone of peace and we can sit down and have a nice

long chat. I hope to see you out here this morning. We are here until noon. This is Jane Matt

Nair at the Waka Shaw Farmers Market for WAUK Radio. Back to you, Don.

Hey, thanks so much, Jane Matt Nair at the Farmers Market. We're so glad to have Jane as part of

our WAUK family. Be sure to check out Matt Nair on air if you haven't already. Money through Friday

10-12. Her producer, co-host Greg Bach is hilarious as well. They really have a great time together

and you get to learn a lot too about what's going on throughout the state. Back here with Amy

Lee Sazema. Yep, I'm here. Fitness guru and author of a first-time author of our new book,

Fleetwood Dreams. Yes. Find me in the mountain after the landslide too.

You have to add that in. Find me in the mountain after the landslide and a lot of Fleetwood Mac references

in there. Yes. But it was inspired by some tragedies in your life that you overcame and you

mentioned one about a story you wanted to share. You shared it with the other media outlets earlier

about your mother in her heart. Yes. Okay, so I was like I said, I had to kind of go back,

because I think my book starts around the age of seven, eight. I mean, how much do we really

remember? Yes. But I had to go through some old photographs to kind of strike up my memory on

that. And so I'm digging in this box. And I think this was last year in the fall. And I find a

letter at the way bottom of it, a typed out letter from a man who has my mom's heart. Wow.

Thinking, thinking her or thinking the family actually for for her heart and the gift of life

that he had after that. And so I'm reading this. I just can't believe it. I'm like, I didn't even

know that my mom was an organ donor to be honest. I was so young that I didn't really pay much

attention at that time. I was just overcoming the grief. And I texted, I call them the dance moms.

They're going to be so happy. I gave them a shout out, by the way, but my daughters in dance,

so we have a thread called the dance moms. And I was like, you guys aren't going to believe this.

And so they said, uh, we have to help you find him. And I said, you guys in the letter, it says

he's retired. This is 20. This is 22, 23 years ago. He's not around. Like I'm thinking. And if he is

another state, he's away, whatever. So my friends, his name was unique. His daughter's name names were

unique. They found him and they gave me his home phone number. I'm like, you guys within like an hour

or two. I'm like, I'm not calling him. And I did. They were like, they wouldn't let me not call him.

So I actually called introduced myself to him. Um, he's still around. He's lived for 20

some years. He was so kind on the phone. I mean, just like, I've always wondered if anybody

received this letter. And I just felt like, I also felt like, um, it was a message for my mom.

Like, I felt like it was the moment that I was actually supposed to see this. And it kind of,

it did bring a lot of healing because I went through that grief of losing my mom. But now I got

to talk to somebody who lived how many years. He's like, I got to see my daughters get married,

my grandkids grow old because of this gift. And so yes, we had a local station that recently

covered it. And he's, we want to meet. He's in his eighties now. So I'm hoping that his

daughter said she's going to bring him to my book lunch, which can I say my book lunch?

Yes. Yeah. That's okay. All right. So my book lunch information is it's going to be at the

twisted vine in Pewaaki, um, August 20th. That's a Tuesday, five thirty to eight PM kind of open

house style, um, come buy a book, grab a drink. I'm going to put out, they have these little snack

boards. I'm going to buy a couple and say whoever comes, you can, you know, come and eat a snack.

And, um, so yeah, but she said, you know, I hope I can get my dad there and we can give each other a

hug and I love it. Uh, this will be your first face face. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Great. So, hey,

let's put a pin in this. I bought, but we're going to, we're going to re talk about the,

the promotional event too. So no, we've got, but we have Bob Habish on the line. Bob, are you there?

Yeah, I'm here. Hey, Bob, thanks so much for calling in. And as a little background for everybody,

Bob Habish was the attorney who represented the three widows of the three iron workers who were,

killed in that tragic accident at what was then called the Miller Park construction. And, um,

and Bob, you'll be participating in the commemorations tomorrow at what we now call, uh,

American family park or American family field. Is that correct? Yeah. So trippy. Now,

we had a phone conversation yesterday. And what really hit home with me

was the story you had shared, um, from, I guess it was from one of the victims of widows,

um, Jeffrey Wischer. And something he said to his wife the night before the accident.

He did share that now. Yeah, well, I, uh, I got to call early mornings of July 15th, 1999.

From a lady called, uh, Trish Wischer. She told me that her husband had been,

had been killed the day, the day before at the Miller Park.

And that he had come home one night and told her that the place was dangerous as hell. And

and people were going to die there. And he told her that if anything happened to me,

I want you to call Bob Hattish. I didn't know him, but apparently he had heard of me.

And thus, uh, that morning she did call. And I met with her and, uh, told her I'd be happy to

represent her. And after that, we got my, to go, my, to grave on board and, uh, in a million

degrees widow. Yeah. Mona Skar, uh, joined us. And so I was representing three of the widows.

In Bob, you mentioned to her, um, what were the reasons, why were the conditions, working

conditions so dangerous? It wasn't, uh, because of the iron workers who have a strong commitment to

safety. Could you, could you shed some light on that? So iron workers are often performing

dangerous stuff anyways. Um, you know, they're the guys that go up in skyscrapers. Um,

but the site manager at, uh, at Miller Park and in the construction area for Mitsubishi,

um, didn't see a safety procedure that he liked. Uh, he was committing safety violations

over and over again and danger in the lives of these iron workers.

And of course, his biggest, uh, his biggest safety violation was on July 14th,

1999 when he ordered a rope, a roof lift lift of a huge roof piece in a windy day,

causing the crane, the large crane to fall over and hitting the man bucket. These three guys were in

and they fell to their deaths. So that was the result of his practice of safety violations.

And I remember in my discussions with Brenem Emmins, um, the, the business manager forward,

the iron workers local number eight, he had mentioned that after that, that the iron workers

refused to go back to the site unless that, uh, that gentleman from Mitsubishi was removed and

that the iron workers would be calling the shots on safety protocols, uh, moving forward.

I'm a successful in that effort as I understand it. But, um, but Bob, I'm sorry, go ahead.

Go ahead. Yeah, go ahead. I would say, but what I remember too is you, you, you'd,

you'd insisted that there would be no settlements that this was going to go all the way to trial

that you were going to get the most justice for these three widows and their families.

Well, the, um, obviously the widows were very upset and I would say pissed off.

And after my discovery showed all the violations that had occurred and how unsafe the place was,

are they were determined to go to trial as I was.

And so any attempts at settlement were rebuffed.

The Mitsubishi wanted to settle the case confidentially and, uh, we said no way we're going to trial

because they wanted to punish the Mitsubishi in a trial as, as we did.

Uh, so that's why the case was never going to settle right from the start.

And you obviously had the reputation and the influence to make that happen.

Is it fair to say that other lawyers made out of, uh, taking that the distance

might have reached settlement. In other words, I think I, I, I think I always had the reputation

of being kind of a hard ass, um, that I'd rather try cases and settle cases.

So it was, it was no heavy lift for me that the people wanted to go to trial because I wanted

to as well. Sure. Sometimes you're forced into settlement because the clients want to settle the case

within this instance, that was not going to be a problem. Sure. You know, and Bob, too, I,

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that another act of justice that you championed was the,

um, the commissioning and even the financing of the, this, the memorial statue at, uh,

am famed that honors those three iron workers. Can you tell us a little about that?

Well, after the case was over, I talked to my partners, uh, at the firm. I said, you know,

I'd like to have a reminder of the sacrifices you three guys made while building this beautiful

stadium and that people who came to the stadium ought to be reminded of that fact and that I wanted to

commission three statues, um, memorializing the three workers, but it would have to be on

the Bloor property. So I contacted that Frank Mussolotti, who at that time was ahead of the

things Southeast Wisconsin, professional baseball. Yeah. And head of the team.

Yeah, which is supervising the whole operation. I told him what I wanted to do.

He said, well, we got to get Bloor's permission. I said, well, I'll do, do what you can.

And through some negotiation, the Bloor is finally agreed.

And we set up the three statues. I commissioned it and in my firm paid for it.

And they created the entire area, you know, with a wall, which memorialized all the,

workers who had worked on the construction of Miller Park.

So that's how it came apart, came a, uh, could be a reality.

Sounds great. So Bob, we have about 30 seconds. Any final comments you want to make,

as you prepare for the commemorations tomorrow for the 25th anniversary?

No, I think that the, uh, the jury verdict, which occurred on December 1st,

2000, sent the message to employers of construction sites that they can't

play fast and loose with lives of their workers. And I think the message went across the country

as a matter of fact. And I think they got the message. So I think that worker safety probably was

made better by the outcome of this case. At least I hope so.

Sure. Bob Havish, thank you so much for sharing this morning. I'm humbled and honored to have

you here on this show. And, um, we continue in our final segment with Amy Lee,

Sadzema. And we keep those iron workers and their families, uh, in our hearts, um, here.

And this week in WK 540, I'm 101.1 FM. The show.

This.

Hey, let's say this week in WK 540, one of my favorites, One World by Utopia.

And as I mentioned in my earlier segment on, um, acting locally, thinking globally, um,

about my support as why I feel people should support President Biden is that, um,

we want to maintain a Republican, smaller form of government where the people have a say,

where they have a voice. And, um, I want to thank Bob Havish again for appearing via phone

and sharing his experiences about that calamity involving the iron workers. And, um,

the justice for those families that was achieved thanks to Bob and his team.

And the improved safety conditions for iron workers and other building trades workers and

construction sites that was achieved, that would not happen in an allegarchy with a king.

And that's why again, and again, it's nothing about the person that could be the most

maneuver. It's the system. Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

And it's, um, we all should have a say in this, uh, this American experiment, this democratic

experience, small D. And so, uh, you'll Bob's, uh, Bob's efforts and his tributes again would not

have happened in a different form of government, uh, other than the one that we know and can improve

upon. So, but anyway, uh, back with Steph, excuse me, Amy Lee, Sazema,

and her fantastic book, Fleetwood Dreams, Climbing Mountain after a landslide,

and a landslide. So, and, uh, much of the title inspired by her favorite band,

her parents favorite band, Fluid Mac, but it also is a deep dive into some personal tragedies.

She's experienced in how she's, um, healed. And yeah, I want to ask because you're working

physical therapy. In addition to the writing that you found, do you? The physical therapy also

has to be pretty therapeutic, right? Yeah. I think actually that's, there's a part in the book

to the exercise I should say. Yeah. I knew what you meant. Yeah. Uh, there's a part in the book, um,

where I, I kind of dive deep into the yoga. And I decide, because I think trauma,

sores in our body, you can tell when people are going through something, like, yeah,

slouch their shoulders, they don't put their chest out. Yeah. As you sit up nice and tall,

I love it. Put your heart out there. Um, but definitely the, the trauma that I went through

had, uh, I was a huge reason that I decided to go back for the 200 hours of yoga, um,

teacher training. And, um, yoga was really instrumental in helping me heal.

Sure. And also just being mindful, um, and kind of looking inward, like, what do I need?

Eating healthy. I love holistic, holistic things, along with modern medicine, but, um,

I just decided at that point, too, that I wanted to help other people that had trauma and body,

whether it was just something to do with grief or the emotional or physical, um, so that kind of

was what deterred me, um, and actually case management, too, because like I said, I went to

school to be a news reporter. I was interning at a local station in this chapters in there as well.

And, um, I realized that my grief was kind of sneaking up on me and news reporting. You're,

you're kind of going out to these stories before anybody else. Yeah. Um, I just,

I decided I said, I, I, I just can't report on this. I need to, I need to step away,

heal and maybe do something where I'm helping people. Sure. And, um, a friend of mine

worked as a case manager and he's like, you have a bachelor's degree and in white water,

your two jobs are you either going to bartend or probably work at one of the group homes there.

Those are the options. So I went the group home route. So he's like, you have experience

helping people. You've worked in a group home. You'd be great. Mixologists are there a piss too,

though. Yeah, that's true. So yeah, that's kind of how I got into it. And, um, I've just always been

a person. I've always been really empathetic. My dad has always told me like, just very sensitive

and empathetic. And, um, but then I think through the loss and tragedy, it, it deterred me even more.

Like I just want to help people. And hopefully that's what this book will do, too. Sure. Sure.

Tell us again, when you're, um, I guess you're, you're what do you call it, your release event?

Yep. Yep. Yep. The book launch is August 20th. Twisted Vine and

Saturday. Yeah. What time? No, it's Tuesday. It's a random Tuesday. Oh, I guess I was thinking July.

Sorry. That's all right. That's all right. It's a random Tuesday. Good time for book launch. It is, it is, um,

530 to 8 p.m. Twisted Vine. Stop on in. Yep. Is it a bookstore? It's not okay. It's a wine bar.

Okay. And, you know, why I, I went to a bookstore and I said, you know, the people that are coming,

I just want this to be fun. I want people to come out and have a beverage, have a snack.

Twisted Vine makes a good name for a bookstore, I think. They should add some books there to the

upper portfolio. Maybe I can pitch that. There you go. No, no, no. I imagine like Ivy, like,

like a brick wall in the exterior. Yeah. You got it. Yeah. Oh, very cool. What's the address in

Pwaki? Oh, man, you're going to make me Google this. Well, just, uh, what's your, we can find

you on social media, right? Yeah. You can find me on social media. You can go to my website,

www.amysasma.com. Through the dream's climbing amount and after a landslide. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you for doing that. Yep. Um, you can buy a book there. You can pre-order a book.

You can go to my publisher site, 10, 16 price. You can pre-order a book there.

Watch shop publisher. Walk a shop publisher. They're amazing. Um, or again, you can stop on by the

book launch and get your book. And we got it. Talk to Michael about having him on now because he's a

new kind of the new publisher, if you will, and like to learn more about him and, uh, yeah,

like to support local businesses. So especially something like that. Is that two minutes max?

20, uh, two and a half minutes. Okay. Thank you. So love that extra 30 seconds. So in this time,

we have left. What else do you want, um, our listeners to know about Amy Lee, Sasma that we

haven't talked about already? Oh, um, about the book about the book by the book. If you know

somebody, you know what, I feel like even if you haven't gone through tremendous loss, there's,

there's touch points in the book that I feel like we'll benefit everybody. We've all gone through

struggles. Sure. Sure. So by the book, please support me. It's my first book. Write a review

if it's good. If it's not, just forget about it. Never happened. Um, yeah. But no, just,

just supporting authors and anybody in the creative field, we really appreciate it. A lot of work

that goes into it. That sounds great. That sounds great. So, and you'll be, uh, you'll be out there

promoting the, but any other type of questions you're doing. Yes. So I will be at, um, I will be at

Martha Merrill's bookstore. It is a Friday night live. So we'll have some live music. That is

the 23rd at five. Well, I'll be there at five 30 August 23rd. Okay. Gotta be after the book comes out.

I will get there at five 30, but my table will be set off out there. You can hear some live music.

You'll be outside. Yeah. They got great country music usually over at Martha Merrill's. All right.

All right. I'm thinking about bringing some candy or some snacks that kind of entice people. She

said I gotta go. Shmoos. They know. They know. I'll be there. Amy Lee, Sassam, uh, fitness and

yoga instructor at YMCA at the Carol University. Yeah. And, uh, author of the new book,

Fleetwood Dreams, climbing them out and after a landslide in huge Fleetwood Mac fan. Maybe Mac

will give us another Fleetwood Mac close out the show. I want to thank everyone for joining us. I

want to thank my first hour guest, uh, Jessica Smith of Flip and Fabulous. Again, Amy Lee,

Sasma. Thanks again to Bob Habish for calling in. Uh, please enjoy this beautiful Saturday.

Please act responsibly for the convention. Please remember safety as everyone's

responsibility and so is good mental health. And I'll go remeal my hug of Galer and see ya.

You can call it another lonely day. You can go y'all away.