MUSIC: 'Familiar Looking Strangers' Get to Know Port Washington

The band from abroad travels to the United States for three shows in Port Washington, including two shows this weekend as well as a Fourth of July performance.

Bands often take inspiration from real-life stories and situations when writing new songs and lyrics, and Familiar Looking Strangers admits to being no exception. On a trip to the United States from London — where they all met in Liverpool — the band has been touring in the Milwaukee and Chicago area, and recently took the show a bit north, to Manitowoc. Even though the show is on the road, work is not on hold. In fact, one of the band's songwriters, Paul Baker, admits to taking inspiration from the foreign lands that surround him: he recently wrote a new song about a man the group met while in Manitowoc. The band decided to tour in the United States after meeting up with Port Washington resident Bob Mittnacht, who saw Familiar Looking …

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Saukville's Rivers Edge Wins Readers' Choice Breakfast Contest

Harry's Restaurant and New Port Shores come in second as the best place to get breakfast/brunch in Port Washington and Saukville; Dockside Deli also earns third place in the category.

Rivers Edge comes out as the number one place to get breakfast/brunch in the Port Washington and Saukville area after a weeklong Readers' Choice contest. With a long list of restaurants involved, it was a close race — but Rivers Edge came out on top after earning 25 percent of the vote, as well as several votes from Facebook commenters and a 5-star rating and review on Patch. User Dawn Hoffman posted on the restaurant's listing, saying it's, "The best breakfast and service around this area!" The complete list of restaurants in the running also included: : Victor's Pier Street Shanty; Firehouse Restaurant; Harry's Restaurant; Port Hotel; New Port Shores; Dockside Deli; and Tellos Grill & Cafe. Harry's Restaurant and New Port Shores came …

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High School Student Launches Open Mic Night at New Port Shores

Sophomore Will Pfrang is hoping to turn the weekly Open Mic event into something bigger, expanding to the patio this summer and drawing people from all over the state.

People from various parts of the state and of all ages have been showing up at New Port Shores recently and its all thanks to one local high school student. Port Washington High School sophomore Will Pfrang has been working with his dad, Charlie, and New Port owner John Weinrich to organize a free Open Mic night on Thursdays. The event starts at 8 p.m., is a first-come-first-serve forum and allows artists of any kind. "It's not like we will turn anything away," Pfrang said. "I think the coolest thing to see, is seeing the eclectic groups of people come together. It's really wild, because you'll have an accordion playing … we've had banjos, multiple drummers come in… they just all get up, and they can jam out and play really well together …

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A Tip for Port Washington: Face the Harbor

Why does Port Washington's downtown seem to turn it's back to the big lake behind it?

Why doesn’t Port Washington’s downtown face the harbor?  Have you ever been to Seattle, Baltimore or Vancouver?  Some of the most vibrant areas of those cities take full advantage of their proximity to the harbor. I’m thinking about the Pike Street Market in Seattle and the bustling shops along the water in Savannah and South Beach that open directly onto the river walk.  Speaking of river walks, the one in San Antonio is a hot spot for nightlife and it’s a cool spot to stroll during the heat of day.  Of course, the classic juxtaposition of towns and harbor is the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Like Port Washington, the villages spill down the hillsides to the beach, harbor, rocks — whatever the case may be.  However, while the building and …

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Up in Smoke? Cigarette Ban has Varied Impact on Local Businesses

With Wisconsin's statewide smoking ban in place for one year, residents speak out on the law — and it seems a debate still remains.

A smoker for 55 years, Jerry Lilly can't see the sense in the statewide smoking ban that has now been in place for one year. "I hate it," he said, sitting on a stool at The Patio Bar & Grill, unable to light up the traditional way. The bar, he and bartender Tina Uselding explain, often sits empty when the patrons and bartender together head outside to have a smoke. "It's come one, come all," Uselding said, adding that the ban is especially annoying because many people who drink also smoke. "That's what bars are," she said. But because the regulars to The Patio seem to head outdoors for a cigarette in a pack, the ban hasn't seemed to hurt the bar and restaurant's business. If anything has had a negative effect on its operation, Uselding …

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Great Escape: A Winter Tasting Offers a Night of Food, Spirits and Fun

Column puts a spotlight on local ideas for parents looking to take some time out.

Ready to unwind this weekend? Head to this week’s Great Escape: A Winter Tasting, presented by the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce. The event is Saturday, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Port Washington’s Country Inn & Suites, located at 350 E. Seven Hills Rd. Whet your palate with a variety of flavor favorites, featuring beverages from Vines to Cellar, Mike’s Margarita Flavors, Mejor Tequila, Great Lakes Distillery Rhorst Vodka and Gin, Amerique 1912 Absinthes and Jimmy Luv’s Bloody Mary Mix, plus more than 40 varieties of beer. And let’s not forget the food! Sample the tastes of Beanie’s Mexican Restaurant, Dockside Deli, Fireworks Popcorn, New Port Shores, Nisleit’s Country Inn and Tellos Grill and Cafe. Raffles, games and live music from …

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Polar Bears Invade Port Washington

Thrill-seekers and spectators take to the lake for annual event.

A mass of people crowded the east end of Jackson Street at 2 p.m. Jan. 1 to commemorate the New Year with the annual Polar Bear Dip. Flashes of bare skin emerged from the huddle of mostly bundled event-goers, stepping up to the shores of Lake Michigan, where waves met ice-encrusted sand. Though the sun was shining, the prior day's spring-like, 50-degree temperature was nowhere to be found. Temperatures settled in at 23 degrees, and felt like 2 degrees with the wind chill, according to the event's planner Jon Crain. "This one wasn't easy, that's for sure," said Crain, a Polar Bear with at least 16 jumps under his belt. Still, when the countdown to the plunge hit zero, a number of bikini and swim trunk-clad bodies of all ages rushed into the…

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