MILWAUKEE – Admirals netminder Ethan Haider made life “ruff” for the Stars as Milwaukee got back on the winning track with a 3-1 victory over Texas on Saturday night – the team’s first Sendik’s Dog Day of the season.

By the numbers:

Texas took an early 1-0 lead as Kole Lind scored on their first shot of the game 1:16 into the opening period, but that was all the Stars would get as Haider backboned the Ads defense, turning aside the next 22 shots and helping to kill off all four Texas power-plays.  

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Haider stopped 22 of the 23 shots he faced to pick up his first AHL win.

The Admirals would score the game’s final three goals beginning with Reid Schaefer’s first of the season at 11:04 of the first. Ryan Ufko carried the puck from the top of the right circle around the Texas net and had his wrap-around attempt denied by netminder Ben Kraws, but Schaefer pounced on the rebound and scored into an open net.

Jordan Oesterle’s seeing-eyed shot from the left point with less than two minutes to go in the first found its way through traffic and over the shoulder of Kraws to give the Admirals the lead at 2-1.

Jake Lucchini’s second goal of the week and third of the season at 6:59 of the second period gave the Ads some insurance. The play started when Milwaukee came 3-on-3 into the Texas zone and Cole O’Hara left a drop pass for Lucchini, and he ripped it blocker-side for a 3-1 advantage.

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Schaefer and Oesterle each finished with a goal and an assist in the contest to pace the offense and help Milwaukee to their eighth win in their first 12 games of the season.

What’s next:

The Admirals are back in action with a pair of games next weekend in Henderson against the Silver Knights. Their next home game is against Iowa on Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m.

by Chesnie Wardell / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, Wisconsin Watch
November 15, 2025

In a classroom turned barbershop on the third floor at Milwaukee’s Rufus King International High School, students sit for a haircut and talk about academics, sports and the latest trends with English teachers Cameron LeFlore and Emmanuel Johnson.  

They’re the latest clients of The Shop in 310, a free on-campus barbershop club for Rufus King students. LeFlore said the cuts help young men feel more confident. 

“Then they don’t need a hat or hoodie,” he said. “They can just walk with their head held high.”

The idea for the shop started when LeFlore brought his clippers to the school, hoping students would want a haircut.

Johnson, who was recently hired at the school, decided to collaborate with LeFlore once he learned they both had an interest in barbering.

Checking out the new club

The Shop in 310 opens daily at 3:30 p.m. except Thursdays. Among the regulars at The Shop in 310 are Rufus King juniors Elijah Ramirez and Demontrey Cochran. 

Ramirez, 17, moved from Chicago to Milwaukee three months ago and was nervous about trying out a new barber for the first time in 10 years. 

“I was scared at first, but then I gained confidence and trust in Mr. LeFlore,” Ramirez said.  

He was pleased with the results of his first mid-taper cut. 

“It came out better than I expected,” he said. 

Since then, he’s gained opportunities with photographers and notices how his cut stands out.

Cochran, 16, is a student in LeFlore’s class and was excited to support the club.

“I really wanted to see how this would turn out,” Cochran said. 

Ramirez and Cochran each encourage their peers to give it a try. 

“Every man can vouch that after they get a haircut, they are going to feel good and that they can conquer the world because of their haircut and confidence from it,” Cochran said.

Financial relief for families

The Shop in 310 initially charged $10 per cut, but after being approved by the Office of Administration at Rufus King as an official club, the trims became free.

“If your child starts off as a freshman coming here, you’d be saving thousands by the time they’re a senior,” LeFlore said. 

Before joining Rufus King, Johnson offered free cuts to students at Marshall High School, where he taught previously, and felt glad to do it. 

“Back then, cuts were $25 to $30. Now barbers are charging $40 and up,” he said. 

Cochran typically spends $35 for a mid-taper cut at his barber. Since coming to The Shop in 310, he’s been able to save money and also values how accessible it has been for his peers.

“There’s a lot of people I know who don’t even have barbershops near them, so it takes them a long time to finally get a cut,” he said.

LeFlore and Johnson use the club’s Instagram to post haircut tutorials for students interested in learning how to cut their own hair at home. 

“I try to take a holistic approach and think back to what I would’ve wanted when I was in high school,” LeFlore said. 

Visiting The Shop in 310 is more than just receiving a haircut for Ramirez and Cochran. It’s a place to feel welcomed. 

“At first I saw them as just English teachers,” Ramirez said. “I like their communication and ability to understand what I’m specifically asking for.” 

Beyond the sounds of clippers, Cochran sees the barbershop as peaceful, chill and liberating. 

“As long as everything is appropriate this is a non-judgment zone,” he said.

Practice leads to improvement  

LeFlore and Johnson are self-taught barbers who learned the skills on their own before bringing clippers into the classroom. 

Johnson started off cutting his youngest brother’s hair as a favor while receiving feedback from his mentor Thomas Mclern, a barber with more than 30 years’ experience. 

“While cutting my brother’s hair I realized that cutting hair was one of the best ways for me to serve the community,” he said. “Cutting hair is now an art for me.”

LeFlore’s path to barbering began after watching a friend cut his own hair, inspiring him to do the same. 

“I told my friend to send me all the products I needed, then I went and brought everything,” he said.  

LeFlore said it used to take an hour and a half to complete a haircut, now it’s only 20 minutes.

Tapping into diverse hair types

As their skills improved by cutting five to 10 heads a week, Johnson and LeFlore became more versatile. 

Having already worked with diverse hair types at Marshall High School, Johnson was able to adjust to the needs of Rufus King students. 

“At Marshall, I was exposed to different hair types and hair thinness, so at Rufus King, I learned quickly and had no problem,” Johnson said. “Every now and then when I get a hair type that’s not my own, it’s still a learning experience.”

Though LeFlore was nervous about cutting different hair textures, he practiced on his dad, whose hair is straighter, and watched YouTube videos to become better. 

“I took my time and it turned out OK, but it wasn’t as good as I wanted it to be,” he said. “I learned that straighter hair is easier, you just have to be more precise.”

Cochran said he has interest in cutting his own hair after graduating high school. 

“I want to purchase my own barber kit eventually, and that should save me at least $100 a month,” he said. 

Johnson and LeFlore want people to know that whether it’s cutting hair or something different, practice is key. 

“Whatever they’re looking to pursue, they need to find like-minded people who do the same things and practice together,” Johnson said.

Jonathan Aguilar is a visual journalist at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service who is supported through a partnership between CatchLight Local and Report for America.

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MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee’s 112th annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration returns to Fiserv Forum next Friday with Santa Claus, musical performances and the first-ever Deer District Holiday Market.

The beloved holiday tradition, presented by We Energies, will take place Friday, Nov. 21, at Fiserv Forum in the Cheer District, according to a release from the city.

Festivities begin at 5 p.m., leading up to the tree lighting at 6 p.m.

“Milwaukee embraces the Christmas spirit every year, and Cheer District is a center of our city’s celebrations,” Mayor Cavalier Johnson said. “I am grateful to all the partners who continue our tradition and make this event an annual success.”

This year’s centerpiece is a 38-foot Colorado blue spruce donated by Kaitlyn Schmidt Thabet and Amgad Thabet. Milwaukee entertaining and style expert David Caruso designed the tree, which will feature more than 600 colorful ornaments and 3,800 glowing lights. A 6-foot LED White Northern Burst will crown the display.

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“It’s always an incredible honor to design the official City of Milwaukee Christmas Tree — a tradition that brings our community together in the spirit of joy and celebration,” Caruso said. “This year’s theme, Together We Shine Brighter, is all about the power of unity. When we come together as a city — with our creativity, compassion and connection — Milwaukee truly shines its brightest.”

Holiday activities:

• Attendees will be able to enjoy fan-favorite Bango spreading holiday cheer alongside Dancer, Cupid and Vixen of Reindeer Games, and of course, Santa Claus himself.
• The New Fashioned will once again provide complimentary hot chocolate to all guests.
• The first-ever Deer District Holiday Market, presented by Deer District BID #53, will feature a curated lineup of local vendors, holiday-themed photo opportunities and seasonal food and beverage specials from Deer District establishments. The market will continue through Nov. 30 on the plaza at Fiserv Forum.
• An interactive display of City of Milwaukee vehicles, including Department of Public Works equipment, a Milwaukee Fire Department engine and Milwaukee Police Department vehicles.
• MPD’s mounted patrol will also be on-site for photo opportunities for attendees of all ages.

Entertainment lineup:

• Back for another great performance, Guyton Entertainment returns with DJ YC and Milwaukee’s piano man extraordinaire, Marcell Guyton, founder of The Rhythm Kings.
• Carolers from the Milwaukee Repertory Theater will perform a medley from their 50th anniversary production of A Christmas Carol.
• Varsity Drumline from Reagan High School will bring the rhythm and energy of Milwaukee Public Schools.

Special guests:

“Mr. Bucks in Six,” Brandon Jennings, will join Mayor Johnson to help light the 2025 Christmas tree and get the holiday started right.

“We are proud to once again partner with the City of Milwaukee to bring this cherished tradition to life in the heart of downtown,” said Michael Belot, Milwaukee Bucks senior vice president of business operations and chief real estate development officer. “Each year, the transformation of Deer District into Cheer District, presented by the We Energies Foundation, captures the joy and togetherness of the holiday season. We can’t wait to celebrate the 112th City of Milwaukee Christmas Tree Lighting and share the magic with our community.”

Parking information:

• The intersection of Vel R. Phillips Avenue and Highland Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic for the duration of the Tree Lighting Event.
• Free parking will be available at the Highland Avenue structure (1030 N. 6th St.) and the 5th Street structure (1215 N. 5th St.).
• Bikes can also be secured at bike racks located at these structures for anyone who prefers to bike in.

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