Russian Wulfgar, Vegalum, Niacin, Banshee, Socky and Donnybrook: Though they sound like characters from a science-fiction novel, they’re actually a group of Milwaukeeans who are giving new meaning to the expression “playing with fire.”

UW-Milwaukee photography student Jeremy Novy, 28, believes in the power of art— specifically, street art. Novy has completed more than 50 public or street art projects throughout the city.

The owners of El Rey grocery stores faced an unintended competitor when they constructed a massive $5.5 million store at 916 S. Cesar Chavez Drive: themselves. They had planned on closing their cramped old location down the street once the new one, the largest Hispanic supermarket in the city, opened this spring, but business has been so strong at both storefronts that it now looks like they’ll coexist.

Bobby Tanzilo is a familiar name around town. He’s been a sportswriter, music critic, online editor and alternative rock musician. Tanzilo has also become a prominent local advocate of Italian culture and history, authoring scholarly articles and books, organizing exhibitions at places as varied as the County Historical Society and Bacchus, and helping run the Italian Film Festival (March 7-9 at the UW-Milwaukee Union Theatre).

Louise Lambrecht is rife with character—and characters. As a mother, grandmother and wife of 35 years, she exudes plenty of character in her personal life. And as an author, she creates characters that readers yearn to care for and love as their own. Writing under the pen name of L.M. Favier, this Milwaukeean’s first published book, A Sackful of Quarters (Xlibris Press), is an eclectic walk in a delightful field of complex short stories on love, parenting, anorexia, loyalty, womanhood and physical abuse.

For years, Sheboygan native Richard Kirsch has worked with various nonprofit organizations, helping them implement effective management strategies. But when someone suggested he write a book pooling his expertise, he decided to write a fictional children’s book instead.

December 07, 2006 More than a year ago, I visited the topic of Milwaukee`s dating scene for young, black women in a Shepherd Express article. Milwaukee was characterized as "Frozen Tundra"; chock-full of cold, absent, shrinking prospects. Four types of men were heralded: sorry, lazy, apathetic and manipulative. It was just my way of calling out the poor bastards who sucked the bejesus out of me, then couldn`t emotionally or physically lose me; unable to let go and get over it.

The recent fall Gallery Night at the InterContinental Hotel exhibited international artist Charles Dwyer`s "BSides" while an ice sculpture by Van Gogh Vodka flowed with special drinks. With events such as this, General Manager Tim Smith is proud of the presence the newly remodeled hotel is having on Milwaukee`s art scene. As visitors enter the hotel, charcoal pencils are available for them to draw on the small easels throughout the lobby. Their creative energy is the heart of the Guest Expressions fund-raising effort. Smith explains that effort and gives us a few thoughts on why involvement in the arts is important.