Between the Bars

Local Newswire: Maryvale opens for spring training as local independent cinemas close

To keep Between the Bars – and you – up-to-date, this weekly post provides a compilation of both the amusing and the significant (mostly the amusing) local stories from the last few days that I've found by keeping a sharp eye on the local newswire. Enjoy the wealth of information, dear readers. You deserve it.

• It's officially spring! Well, not officially. But, for baseball fans it sure feels like it. Pitchers and catchers have reported for spring training in Arizona as the remaining players will continue trickling into sunny Maryvale Baseball Park up until March 2. Countdown: 46 days to Opening Day, April 6 vs. St. Louis at Miller Park!

“Pepperoni Cannoli Guy” will be missed

Milwaukee lost a lovable character this week, as OnMilwaukee reported, Frank “Pepperoni Cannoli Guy” Pecoraro died at age 76. He was an East Side fixture for years and brought joy, sausage and pastry desserts to hungry drunks.

Anyone who has closed down an East Side bar knows former butcher Frank Pecoraro. But most folks didn’t know him by name, but by his call of "Pepperoni! Cannoli!" Yes, Frank Pecoraro, as I later learned, is the Pepperoni Cannoli Guy who peddled - you guessed it - pepperoni and cannoli to the bar crowds on Brady St. and around North Ave. for years.

Sometimes gregarious and pleasant, sometimes surly and cantankerous, Pecoraro was a Milwaukee institution, always ready to curb a hungry drunkard’s 2 a.m. craving. I have crossed paths with the local eccentric on several occasions.

Will you be my Valentine, Milwaukee?

Photo comes from Art Milwaukee

Last-minute Valentine's Day date ideas

Attention procrastinators: Tomorrow is Valentine's Day!

Yes, you should have set plans weeks ago. And because you dragged your feet, it’s certainly too late to make a dinner reservation at any acceptable restaurant, not to mention the traditional go-to gifts like cards, chocolates and roses have all been picked over at this point. AND you're at even more of a loss because the holiday falls on a Tuesday night - probably the least eventful night of the week.

But, if you don’t want to resort to celebrating your love over a greasy Papa John's heart-shaped pizza, don’t fret: I’ve compiled a list of easy last-minute dates you can make happen in just the nick of time.