Swig first opened on Water Street in the spring of 2005. Owners Joe and Angie Sorge developed a concept of “small plate” dining—basically an international version of tapas. Since then they have opened the wildly successful Water Buffalo in the Third Ward.

The modern feel of the galleries at Milwaukee Institute of art and Design fits nicely with most of the graphically inspired work done by the students there. The 800 person art school located in the Third Ward features galleries with exposed pipes and internal machinery...

The Katie Gingrass gallery in the Third Ward spotlights the medium-spanning work of five artists for its “Impressions, Prototypes & Impastos” exhibit, which it displays through April. The exhibit is dominated by David Schaefer’s heavily textured oil paintings, conceptualizations of nature both tamed and wild . . .

Paula Suozzi, who has been breaking rules since she was in college, continues to think outside the box as artistic director of Milwaukee Shakespeare. This season’s new innovations include Director’s Brunches and Milwaukee Shakespeare Coffeehouse Chats at the Third Ward Starbucks to allow audiences...

Milwaukee County Supervisor Richard Nyklewicz Jr., the powerful chair of the Finance and Audit Committee who has been instrumental in restoring cuts made to county services and programs in recent years, is retiring after 33 years on the board.