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Post from Community: Mayor Barrett announces launch of financial navigator program to help residents tackling COVID-19 financial challenges | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Mayor Tom Barrett
October 28, 2020
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
October 28, 2020, Mayor Tom Barrett announced today the launch of the Financial Navigators Program, a free service to help residents navigate critical financial issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Milwaukee will offer this service in partnership with Riverworks Development Corporation, a local nonprofit that offers financial coaching to help Milwaukee residents reach their full financial potential.
“With COVID-19’s many challenges, it is more important than ever that Milwaukee families have the support they need to navigate resources that build and maintain financial stability,” said Mayor Barrett. “We are confident that this partnership with Riverworks Development Corporation, funded by the CFE Fund, will link many people with much-needed help.”
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The Financial Navigators Program helps residents one-on-one to address personal financial issues and identify immediate action steps to manage expenses and maximize income. Participants will also be referred for services available through organizations like the Rental Housing Resource Center and Employ Milwaukee. The program will be available to Milwaukee residents remotely starting on Wednesday, October 28.
“Many people in our community are really hurting, and Riverworks is committed to helping people navigate these difficult and challenging times,” said Darryl Johnson, Executive Director of Riverworks. “Through this partnership between our Financial Clinic and the City of Milwaukee, we are hoping we can lessen the stress and pain that people are feeling.”
The Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund will provide the grant funding, technical assistance and training needed to launch the program in Milwaukee and other cities across the nation. Additional support is provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Citi Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and the Wells Fargo Foundation.
“The pandemic has clearly heightened awareness around the financial hardships that so many people were already facing here in Milwaukee, and deep disparities that exist in society,” said Darlene Goins, Head of Financial Health Philanthropy with the Wells Fargo Foundation. “We applaud the CFE Fund for bringing together the City of Milwaukee, philanthropists, and financial services to reimagine solutions that can help improve financial stability and resiliency for individuals and families, particularly during this economic crisis.”
Residents can access these remote services by calling (414) 882-7440 or completing the web form at Milwaukee.gov/FN. The financial navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across Milwaukee can refer clients directly to a financial navigator.

author: Mayor Tom Barrett


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Post from Community: Under African Skies virtual series | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
UWM Planetarium
October 28, 2020
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
The UWM Planetarium is excited to host its long-anticipated Under African Skies program. Originally scheduled for spring 2020, COVID forced us to postpone this program and shift to a virtual format after months of planning and preparation.
Under African Skies brings together multiple individuals and departments across campus, including African and African Diaspora Studies, Engineering, and the College of Nursing.
Each Friday at 7:00 p.m. from November 6 to December 4 (excluding November 27), a different guest speaker will talk about their country, culture, and connections to the night sky. Experience stars, stories, and cultural perspectives across the expansive African continent. Tickets are free or pay what you can. Register at https://uwm.universitytickets.com/?cid=195
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Schedule of Guest Speakers
November 6: Jackline Kirungi, Uganda
November 13: Lucy Mkandawire-Valhmu, Malawi
November 20: Mohamed Maache, Algeria
December 4: Tarek M. ElGammal, Egypt
December 11: Wilkistar Otieno, Kenya

source: news-milwaukeenns

created: October 28, 2020

license: Creative Commons - Attribution - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

author: UWM Planetarium


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UAS-updatedpost.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Name *
October 28, 2020

author: Name *


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Election 2020: Your guide to Election Day resources and events | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
October 29, 2020
Don’t miss your chance to exercise your right to vote. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3 (Photo by Sue Vliet)
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include additional events.
Election Day is right around the corner.
Are you ready?
Local organizations have created resources and events to make the voting experience educational, fun and, most important, safe.
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Below is a list of Election Day-related resources and events.
Did we miss a resource or event? Please comment below or send an email to info@milwaukeenns.org with the subject line “Election Day resources.”
“Metcalfe Park: Black Vote Rising”
371 Production in partnership with The Intercept and Wisconsin Watch recently published the documentary, “Metcalfe Park: Black Vote Rising.” The film follows Melody McCurtis and Danell Cross of Metcalfe Park Community Bridges. McCurtis and Cross talk about the April 7 election and the work they’re doing to get Metcalfe Park residents to use their voice and vote. The documentary is available to watch on YouTube and Vimeo.
Read: Wisconsin GOP leaders made it harder to vote, especially for Black residents
414 Votes
In preparation for the election, the City of Milwaukee Election Commission created 414 Votes. The website breaks down the three ways Milwaukeeans can vote: absentee by mail, in-person early voting and in-person on Election Day. The site also includes information on the number of early voter ballots. Visit the site or call 414-286-VOTE (414-286-8683).
My Vote Wisconsin
My Vote Wisconsin was created by the Wisconsin Elections Commission. The website has several key features to make your voting experience easier for any election. You can check your registration status, view your ballot, find your polling location, track your ballot and more.
Vote411
Vote411 is made available by the League of Women Voters Education Fund. The website is nonpartisan. Vote411 offers a voter guide, which explains what the position of each office entails from president to county clerk. It also provides information on the candidates themselves.
Cirque d’vote: Friday, Oct. 30
The Emergency Circus in partnership with the Unstoppable Voter Project is bringing the Cirque d’Vote to Milwaukee. The purpose of the event is to encourage people to exercise their right to vote and have fun while doing it. The “circus” will take place at the Fiserv Forum, 1111 Vel R. Phillips Ave., beginning at noon on Friday, Oct. 30. There will be live music, acrobatics, stilt-walkers and more.
National Youth Voter Day with LIT and BLOC: Friday, Oct. 30
Leaders Igniting Transformation and Black Leaders Organizing for Communities is celebrating National Youth Voter Day. There will be a panel discussion and a virtual concert featuring Kendrick Sampson. The event will take place virtually from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30.
Early voting ends: Sunday, Nov. 1
Early voting in-person in Wisconsin is ending soon. There are 14 early voting locations in the City of Milwaukee and almost all of them will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1. Please note that there is no voter registration on Saturday, Oct. 31 or Sunday, Nov. 1.
Remember to wear a mask and bring your photo ID.
Last day to early vote caravan: Sunday, Nov. 1
Metcalfe Park Community Bridges is leading a caravan on the last day of early voting. The caravan will begin at Metcalfe Park Rising, 3401 W. Center St., and head toward Washington Park Library, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd., at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1. After the caravan, there will be a socially distanced party with food and music. To RSVP, click here.
“Our Lives Depend On It” town hall meeting and rally: Sunday, Nov. 1
Voces de la Frontera, along with its partners, is hosting a virtual town hall meeting and rally, “Our Lives Depend on It.” The event will take place on the group’s Facebook Live at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1. Community activists and leaders will be speaking during the event about the power of voting.
Let justice roll: your voice, your vote: Monday, Nov. 2
All Peoples Church, 2600 N. 2 St., is hosting two prayer vigils before the election as part of its “Voices for Justice.” The first will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2. There will be a prayer walk, an opportunity to lament at the cross and artwork on display. The second prayer vigil will begin at 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2. Those gathered will pray and light luminaries.
Masks are required at both events.
Animal el voto/Get out the vote: Tuesday, Nov. 3
Voces de la Frontera is encouraging people to get out and vote. The group will be meeting at the Voces de la Frontera Action offices, 1027 S. 5 St., at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The plan is to leave informational fliers and voting guides with voters. For additional information, call Deby at 414-982-8543. Para más información llame a Mario al 414-828-2692.
Volunteer as an election inspector: Tuesday, Nov. 3
The Sherman Park Community Association, 3526 W. Fond du Lac Ave., is looking for people willing to volunteer as election inspectors on Election Day. Inspectors issue ballots, register new voters, act as greeters and more. Qualifications include the ability to write legibly, attention to detail and works well with people. Inspectors are needed at the voting site, the Mary Ryan Boys & Girls Club, 3000 N. Sherman Blvd., from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. For more information, call Benjamin Watson at 414-444-9803, Ext. 107.
#iVoted Election Day concert: Tuesday, Nov. 3
Over 600 artists, including 32 acts from Wisconsin, will be performing during a virtual concert in honor of Election Day. The first shows are scheduled to take place virtually starting at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Click here to view the lineup and register for the shows of your choosing. The concert is free, but people are required to show they voted or share why they are excited to vote.
Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3
This is the day! If you haven’t already cast your ballot, now is the time. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. You can also register to vote on the same day, just bring a photo ID and proof of residence (like a piece of mail) and wear a mask. As long as you are in line before 8 p.m., you can vote.
Find your polling place by clicking here or simply Google “polling place” and enter your address when prompted.
Metcalfe Park votes: Jamming at the polls: Tuesday, Nov. 3
Metcalfe Park Community Bridges and partners are hosting Metcalfe Park Votes: Jamming at the polls at several locations from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The festivities are taking place at the following: North 27th Street and West Center Street; West North Avenue and North 34th Street;  North 38th Street and West Center Street. These locations are near Metcalfe Park’s polling stations. There will be free food, safety voter kits, live entertainment and more.
Election 2020: How to safely cast your ballot Nov. 3
Election 2020: What voters with disabilities need to know about Nov. 3 election
Election 2020: What you need to know to vote on Nov. 3
What you need to know now about mail-in voting in Wisconsin
Can you vote if you have a criminal conviction?

created: October 29, 2020

author: Ana Martinez-Ortiz


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
October 28, 2020

author: Adam Carr


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NNS Spotlight: UpStart Kitchen feeds the dreams of entrepreneurs while nourishing the Sherman Park community | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
October 29, 2020
Olivia Muhammad (right) says her sister Kaye Muhammad talked her into creating their business, K.O.’s Delicious Desserts. (Photo by Ana Martinez-Ortiz)
Editor’s note: This story is part of an  occasional series that highlights groups and people worth knowing in Milwaukee. To nominate a person or a group, email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “Spotlight” in the subject line.
Sisters Kaye and Olivia Muhammad are women who mean business.
Their goal is to turn their company, K.O.’s Delicious Desserts, into their full-time hustle, and they just took a step closer to their goal.
Kaye, who works in transit, and Olivia, who works in the insurance field, went into business together after a party, where someone asked where they could buy Olivia’s desserts. The sisters got to work right away, obtaining their licenses and perfecting their product. But finding a commercial kitchen wasn’t easy.
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Recently, they started baking at UpStart Kitchen, 4325 W. Fond du Lac Ave., a commercial kitchen started by the Prism Economic Development Commission.
After seven years, it was just what they were looking for.
The Prism Economic Development Commission is a part of Parklawn Assembly of God, a church based in the Sherman Park neighborhood. The commission was created in response to the 2016 Sherman Park unrest after church leaders saw that some residents were frustrated because of unemployment and unfulfilled dreams.
It was the catalyst the church needed to launch the commission, said Bishop Walter Harvey, who retired this year as lead pastor of Parklawn Assembly of God, 3725 N. Sherman Blvd.
“We wanted to do more to bring transformation in people’s lives other than a Sunday gathering,” said Harvey, the president and CEO of Prism Economic Development Commission.
Pat Jones, the kitchen manager, says the emergency meal program prepares enough food to feed 7,000 people each month. (Photo by Ana Martinez-Ortiz)
The group decided to start with food because, Harvey said, it’s a natural win – everybody loves food, and it’s a gathering tool.
The kitchen is both feeding people by distributing meals and feeding the dream of the entrepreneurs, mainly caterers and food truck owners who all identify as ethnic minorities, Harvey said.
Currently, eight entrepreneurs are using the kitchen, 23 are waiting for their licenses to be approved and 75 are on the waiting list.
“These are people that just love cooking and love providing a service, and we wanted to provide a space for them with state-of-the-art equipment that would allow them to grow their businesses,” Harvey said.
Kaye and Olivia Muhammad said UpStart has helped them with the marketing side of their business.
“You could have a million-dollar product but if nobody knows you have it, then it’s not good, and UpStart has given us a glimpse of marketing,” Kaye said.
The sisters heard about the kitchen in an email from Pat Jones, the kitchen manager of UpStart Kitchen.
Jones is the first point of contact when an entrepreneur wants to join the kitchen. She worked for over 30 years at a country club before moving to iPic Entertainment and eventually started her own catering company.
Prism initially hired her to help with a fundraiser, but she became an asset because she knew her way around the kitchen and the business side of things. Now Jones helps entrepreneurs with obtaining licenses, marketing, networking and more.
“It’s about identifying how to help a person,” Jones said about her role. “There’s one person who just needs nothing, but the other person may need to sit down and have me type on the computer for them, might have to follow up with emails or monitor a lot of things for them.”
For example, Kaye and Olivia are really competent, Jones said, but they needed support in terms of networking and building their business.
Bishop Walter Harvey says the unrest in Sherman Park in 2016 was the catalyst for the Prism Economic Development Commission. (Photo by Ana Martinez-Ortiz)
The commission planned to launch the kitchen earlier this year, but the arrival of COVID-19 set the grand opening back to late September.
“There was a blessing in delay,” said Harvey. “That gave us the opportunity to train some of our first food entrepreneurs on our equipment and to give them an exposure to this type of commercial incubation space. As a result of that, we started making emergency meals for a few nonprofits. That has evolved into an emergency meal program that today is feeding 7,000 people every month.”
Thanks to a $50,000 grant from Ascension Wisconsin, the group will be able to make meals for the next six months. According to Jones, the group distributes meals to senior centers, nonprofits and churches and includes such entities as Community Warehouse, Mount Cavalry Lutheran School, Just One More Ministry and Housing First. It also receives weekly requests.
The emergency meals are prepared by volunteers, Jones explained, but occasionally an entrepreneur will contribute something such as cookies or bread.
“I am proud of my entrepreneurs . . . they’re all so kind-hearted,” said Jones. “And I’m equally proud of the community meal program, because we’re making that many meals made from scratch and we keep going.”
Jones said the need for more kitchens and spaces like UpStart is huge, she said, as evident by the kitchen’s waiting list.
As for Kaye and Olivia, they are ready to quit their day jobs and spend their time creating delectable cheesecakes, cakes and other baked goods.
“This time around, we’re going full force with our business,” Olivia said. “This is where we want to be, it is our passion.”


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Post from Community: United Way & Employ Milwaukee receive Deloitte grant to enhance growth industry employment for African-American men | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
October 29, 2020
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, in collaboration with Employ Milwaukee, has received Deloitte’s Pathways to Opportunity grant.
The aim of the grant is to increase the number of Milwaukee’s African-American men that complete middle-skills training programs leading to placement and retention in high-demand occupations within our region’s growth industries, including advanced manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, and information technology.
The grant will provide $150,000 worth of funding over two years.
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“We know that Black and Brown men in our region face barriers to accessing employment opportunities that allow for financial stability and growth,” said Shannon Reed, United Way’s director of innovative strategies for boys and men of color. “We also know there is a need for high-quality talent in many local industries. This grant will help close that gap.”
In October, 25 participants were recruited to participate in Employ Milwaukee’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs, which focus on skills training, reducing common employment barriers, and building a career pathway to employment with wage/income progression. The grant will provide stipends for participants, funding to fill WIOA’s service and resource gaps, placement assistance, holistic coaching, and workforce retention support.
“We are thrilled to receive this grant,” said Employ Milwaukee president and CEO Chytania Brown. “These funds will assist our efforts to close the skills gap for African-American men that has been exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“At Deloitte we believe a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce is what leads to the strongest, most productive communities. We’re proud to support United Way through this grant to help break down barriers and help open doors to employment, economic potential, and pathways to prosperity,” said Scott Wrobbel, Milwaukee managing partner and central region marketplace leader of Deloitte LLP.
The work made possible by this grant is in line with several United Way initiatives. United Way’s Diversity Leadership Society has set a goal to reduce barriers to employment and advancement, particularly for African-Americans. Also aligned is United Way’s work to address challenges faced by boys and men of color in the community.
About United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County: United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our local community. Learn more at: http://www.unitedwayGMWC.org


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5 things to do and know the weekend of Oct. 30 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
October 30, 2020
Celebrate Día de los Muertos this weekend with the Urban Ecology Center and Ayuda Mutua. (File photo by Jennifer Janviere)
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about as the nation grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon .
1. ‘Thriller’ workshop with DancworksDanceworks, 1661 N. Water St., is hosting a “Thriller” workshop from 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30. Gabi Sustache will teach participants the iconic dance from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video. The class is being offered in person and virtually. Tickets cost $16, registration is required, and dancers must be 14 years and older.
2. Día de los Muertos altar making workshopThe Urban Ecology Center is hosting a Día de los Muertos altar making workshop. The workshop will take place at the Menomonee Valley location, 3700 W. Pierce St., from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 31. Click herefor tickets. Participants are asked to bring photocopied photos of loved ones.
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3. MKESingalong: Halloween edition88Nine Radio Milwaukee, Imagine MKE, Metcalfe Park Community Bridges and the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music are hosting a Halloween-themed singalong. The groups will sing “Ghostbusters” and everyone is encouraged to join in.  The singalong will take place virtually at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. The groups  also are asking for $5 donations to purchase musical recorder instruments for children living in Metcalfe Park. To donate, click here.
4. Sickle cell-abration blood driveGood City Brewing is hosting a blood drive to raise awareness about sickle cell disease. The Versiti Mobile Bus will be parked at Century City, 3945 N. 31st St., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1. The clinic will be performing the COVID-19 antibody test on all blood donations. To schedule your appointment, click here.
5. Amor eterno: Celebración de Día de lxs MuertxsAyuda Mutua MKE is celebrating Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, with “Amor Eterno.” The event will take place at the Ayuda Mutua offices, 2801 S. 5th St., from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1. There will be youth activities, a candlelit walk, musical performances, a communal ofrenda, food and more.
With Election Day right around the corner, check out:Election 2020: Your guide to Election Day resources and events.
Service journalism for Milwaukee: News414
Earlier this year, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media launched News414. News414 is service journalism that works for and with Milwaukee residents to provide them with the information they need regarding housing, mental health and domestic violence, food security, health and safety and jobs and money. Join News414 today by texting MILWAUKEE to 73224.
Bonus: The latest coronavirus coverage from NNS
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service reporters are hard at work bringing readers up-to-date information regarding coronavirus. Stay informed on coronavirus by following us on our Facebook page and subscribing to our daily newsletter. All coronavirus related articles can be found on this landing page. If you have a question or concern about coronavirus, send them in our way. We’re here to serve you.

created: October 30, 2020


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
October 29, 2020


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Election 2020: Pandemic forces groups to adapt get-out-the-vote efforts in Milwaukee neighborhoods | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
October 30, 2020
Groups from across the city have mobilized to register voters and to raise awareness of the issues they consider important. (Photo by Sue Vliet)
Residents of Mercy Housing, which operates five affordable housing sites in Milwaukee, grew concerned when only five in-person polling stations were open in the city during the spring election in April.
“They were left with a lot of uncertainty, and worried that the number of polling locations in Milwaukee would be cut down again in November,” said Clarissa Cameron, regional director of resident services at Mercy Housing, the largest nonprofit owner of affordable housing in the country.
In response to concerns from residents, most of whom are elderly or have special needs, Mercy launched a get-out-the-vote  initiative in August that focused on early and absentee voting.
“We helped them make voting plans, get registered, told them all the important dates and walked them through the entire process,” said Cameron, whose group partnered with Common Ground to provide resources to residents, including Chromebooks that were cleaned after each use.
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In addition to offering health and wellness services, Mercy Housing has worked for years to increase civic engagement among residents. Things were much different this year, as the goal of empowering residents was complicated by COVID-19.
“Our first priority is making sure our residents are safe, so we wanted to help them learn how to vote early so that they can avoid the crowds on Election Day,” Cameron  said.
The group’s hard work paid off. Of 545 Mercy Housing residents in Milwaukee, 70 percent of those who are eligible to vote are now registered, a 45 percent increase from the beginning of the initiative. Many have already voted, Cameron said.
Another group that changed tactics as the coronavirus tightened its grip on the state is the South Side nonprofit Layton Boulevard West Neighbors, which now goes by the name VIA Community Development Corporation.
“This year we’re focusing on alternatives, phone calls to residents, online or social media and doing whatever else we can to get information out to people without putting anyone at risk,” said Lidia Villazaez, community outreach manager for the organization.
The organization teamed up recently with other local groups to participate in a Pack the Polls Car Parade, which traveled from the North Side to the South Side of the city.
“The goal was to get the message out about early voting,” Villazaez said about the caravan that included residents and elected officials. “We’re doing whatever we can to share information in a safe way.”
On Election Day, the group will distribute masks, sanitizer, snacks and pens at ALBA School, 1712 S. 32nd St. The materials will be made available to any resident, regardless of polling location, Villazaez said.
Aside from concerns about the coronavirus, many residents in the area served by VIA are not able to vote, she said. She lets those individuals know, however, that they can still get involved.
“We ask them to encourage their son, daughter, husband and whoever else to vote for the needs of their family,” she said. “You can still be engaged by volunteering to spread the message about voting, and there are also a lot of ways to communicate your concerns with your elected reps.”
There are many other organizations working to increase turnout, including Black Leaders Organizing Communities and the Southside Organizing Center.
As of Wednesday, 125,204 absentee ballots have been returned in the City of Milwaukee, according to data from the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
Villazaez said she has been encouraged by what she’s seen so far.
“There have been a lot of people that have said they already returned their absentee ballots and  other groups have their plans for early voting,” she said. “People want to have their voice heard.”
Election 2020: Your guide to Election Day resources and events
Election 2020: How to safely cast your ballot Nov. 3
Election 2020: What voters with disabilities need to know about Nov. 3 election
Election 2020: What you need to know to vote on Nov. 3
What you need to know now about mail-in voting in Wisconsin
Can you vote if you have a criminal conviction?

author: Edgar Mendez


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Ballot drop boxes offer ‘a safe place’ for voting in Wisconsin’s election | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Nora Eckert, Wisconsin Watch
October 31, 2020
When Amanda Vincent and her family embarked on their routine Friday night grocery store and Chipotle run in late September, they had a special item on their list: a trip to the absentee ballot drop box in Allouez, Wisconsin.
In the past, Vincent usually voted in person and took her daughters along. But she and her husband were worried about exposing their 4-year-old and newborn baby to coronavirus. After considering sending the ballot by mail, they felt even more secure placing it directly in the designated box. Plus, the family outing seemed the best way to mimic the excitement of Election Day.
“In the past, we’ve always gone with our daughters and made a big deal of it to talk about why voting is important and how you can have an impact on your community and your nation,” Vincent said. With that option off the table, the drop box trip felt “a little more climactic,” she said with a laugh.
The drop box in the Green Bay suburb where Vincent deposited her ballot is one of more than 500 in the state, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Before the pandemic, the commission did not track drop box locations, but spokesman Reid Magney said there were very few in 2016.
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As of Thursday, 1.9 million ballots had been sent and just over 254,000 had yet to be returned. Voters also can see when their ballot has safely arrived at its destination using the myvote.wi.gov website. To find out whether your municipality has an absentee drop box, search this tool developed by Wisconsin Watch.
The Elections Commission lists several reasons why voters might choose to vote using a drop box, including, “lack of trust in the postal process, fear that their ballot could be tampered with, or concern that their information will be exposed.” This year, another factor is fear of exposure to COVID-19 at a crowded polling place as Wisconsin experiences a record-breaking upsurge in cases and deaths.
With less than a week before the election, officials are recommending that voters use drop boxes to deposit their absentee ballots, rather than the Postal Service. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that Wisconsin ballots received after Nov. 3 would not be counted in the general election, unlike in the April 7 election, when ballots could be counted if they were postmarked by Election Day.
Voters can submit ballots at most drop box locations up until Election Day, though some locations have earlier deadlines or time restrictions. Smaller communities with drop boxes right outside of the municipal building may accept ballots later into the day, whereas larger communities with more ballots to count may close drop boxes earlier, Magney said.
If this cutoff has passed and the drop box is sealed, a notice should be posted somewhere on the box with instructions on where to deposit the ballot in person, Magney added.
Some voters fear the possibility of the receptacles being compromised, jeopardizing their votes. On Sunday, a drop box in Boston was set on fire, destroying some ballots inside.
Drop boxes have become a flashpoint in some states, with Republicans in Texas and Pennsylvania suing to limit their use, alleging the potential for fraud. A Texas decision upheld Gov. Greg Abbott’s limit of one drop box per county. A legal challenge by President Donald Trump’s campaign to the use of drop boxes in Pennsylvania was dismissed after a judge found the campaign’s argument about fraud “speculative.”
There are no laws regulating the security of drop boxes in Wisconsin, but the state Elections Commission follows guidance from the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
The guidance states that drop boxes should be constantly monitored by a person or a video camera and placed in a well-lit area. The boxes should be locked and only accessible to an election official or designated drop box team.
Jennifer O’Hear, executive director of Common Ground, a nonpartisan education and advocacy group working primarily in Milwaukee, said although she’s heard concerns about drop box security, voters “overwhelmingly” prefer to deposit their ballots in a drop box rather than mail them in or vote in person.
O’Hear is working to maintain voters’ trust in drop boxes by educating them about the safeguards around them.
“We try to reassure people that it is a very safe place, and that somebody is coming and picking up ballots from them every single day. And usually people seem reassured by that,” she said. Milwaukee has 15 drop box locations, including 13 public libraries, according to the Milwaukee Election Commission.
Even if voters safely cast their ballots in a drop box, it might not be the right one. Cities such as Milwaukee and Wausau have run into problems with voters from other municipalities dropping off their ballots when they come into town. Voters must put their ballots in a drop box located in the municipality where they are registered to vote.
Voters can use the following drop boxes to return their absentee ballots in the City of Milwaukee: https://t.co/j8285EXAHD
This creates a bit more work for the clerk, and could affect voters if it happens too close to Tuesday’s election.
Milwaukee officials process ballots every day that were incorrectly dropped off by residents of surrounding suburbs, said Claire Woodall-Vogg, executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission. Workers have immediately mailed ballots to the correct municipality, but to avoid delays in the days before the election, the commission is asking other municipalities to send runners to pick up the ballots, Woodall-Vogg said.
Wausau in central Wisconsin also received ballots from residents of other communities. When the city got coronavirus relief funding from the federal government, one of Mayor Katie Rosenberg’s first actions was adding a shiny, blue behemoth outside of City Hall: a drop box that can hold up to 3,000 absentee ballots.
Some of those ballots came from people who didn’t live in the city, but dropped off their ballots while driving through Wausau.
“I think as nervous as everyone is about the Post Office, they feel like, ‘Oh, it’s a municipality, we’re fine. It’s dropped off,’ ” Rosenberg said.
For those who live in Wausau, that drop box made voting a lot safer and easier. Lila Hobson was too wary of using the Postal Service, which has experienced delays and missing ballots in previous elections. She considered dropping it off at City Hall, as she had in the April election. Even that was worrisome, as she and her husband have conditions that make them especially vulnerable to coronavirus.
“It’s just not worth the exposure risk to my family,” Hobson said. “I just knew that there was a safe alternative.”
Drop boxes can be housed inside buildings, outside under video surveillance or under the supervision of a team of workers, sometimes in a drive-through setting. Hobson participated in drive-through voting on Friday, when she and her husband submitted their ballots under the supervision of masked workers who verified they were filled out correctly and placed them in the drop box as she watched.
Seeing her ballot go straight into the box was a great relief for Hobson.
“We didn’t want to leave room for error,” she said.
Wisconsin Watch is a nonprofit newsroom that focuses on government integrity and quality of life issues. Sign up for our newsletter for more stories and updates straight to your inbox.This article is made possible through Votebeat, a nonpartisan reporting project covering local election integrity and voting access.

created: October 31, 2020

author: Nora Eckert, Wisconsin Watch


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Dwayne Burtin
October 30, 2020

author: Dwayne Burtin


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5 things to do and know this week in Milwaukee: Nov. 2 to Nov. 7 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
November 2, 2020
The Urban Ecology Center is hosting an adventure day in Washington Park for children in K5 through third grade. (File photo by Andrea Waxman)
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about as the nation grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by .
Back in March, the City of Milwaukee suspended parking restrictions in light of COVID-19. The city is reinstating night parking and alternate side parking starting Monday, Nov. 2. That means a parking permit is required to park on the street from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Saturday. To purchase a permit, click hereor visit your local police station.
In case you missed it, Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls  will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. To find your polling site, click here. In addition to bringing a photo ID, voters are asked to wear a mask. To register on Election Day, bring a photo ID and proof of residency such as a utility bill or bank statement. Click here for other options.
3. Watch On the Table MKE 2020Last month, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation hosted its annual On the Table conversation series. This year, the theme was “healing justice.” Because of the pandemic, the conversations took place virtually. To watch any of the conversations, click here. The topics ranged from “Moment of Mindfulness” to “Leading Across Generations.”
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4. November adventure day at Washington ParkThe Urban Ecology Center is hosting an adventure day in Washington Park. Children in grades K5 through third grade are invited to join. The group will meet at the Washington Park center, 1859 N. 40th St., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Participants are asked to wear a mask, bring a bag lunch and dress appropriately for the weather. Click here to purchase tickets. Prices may range.
5. Let’s Talk About It: Children of incarcerated parentsTable of the Saints is hosting its monthly “Let’s Talk About It” conversation. This month, the topic is children of incarcerated parents. The group plans to discuss the effects of having an incarcerated parent. To join the discussion, RSVP by emailing director@tableofthesaints.org. A recording of the meeting will be posted on the group’s Facebook page following the discussion.
Bonus: READ: Election 2020: Your guide to Election Day resources and events.
Service journalism for Milwaukee: News414
Earlier this year, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media launched News414. News414 is service journalism that works for and with Milwaukee residents to provide them with the information they need regarding housing, mental health and domestic violence, food security, health and safety and jobs and money. Join News414 today by texting MILWAUKEE to 73224.
The latest coronavirus coverage from NNS
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service reporters are hard at work bringing readers up-to-date information regarding coronavirus. Stay informed by following us on our Facebook page and subscribing to our daily newsletter. All coronavirus related articles can be found on this landing page. If you have a question or concern about coronavirus, send them in our way. We’re here to serve you.

created: November 2, 2020


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
November 1, 2020

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Election 2020: We asked residents what’s on their minds. Here’s what they said. | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service staff
November 2, 2020
Esperanza Gutierrez
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
68
Near South Side
I live in the near South Side neighborhood of Lincoln Village and I have gone around our sun for 68 years. I have voted in almost all elections since I took the oath of citizenship for the U.S., from local to state to national elections.
The most striking difference in this and last presidential elections is this accusation: “If you do not vote for the right party, you are not a patriot.” Some opposing candidates are demonized. Their character is sabotaged through rumors and dark money. I believed that people run for office to serve their country and just had different solutions to issues. Yet, people of different faiths, countries of origin, gender or whom one loves are portrayed as less than worthy of the American dream.
The idea of “self” has turn to selfishness. This saddens me so.
America is not perfect, but it worked with its Constitution toward that dream for all. That has been and is my priority — respecting each other’s rights to be equal, protecting health and education, pursuing justice, fixing our immigration systems and creating an expanding middle class.
Zakiya Courtney
Sherman Park
67
Yes. I early voted the week before last.
This election is different because the impact of who is the president for the next four years will directly affect the mental and physical well-being of all people in the U.S. — positively or negatively.
The issues that are most important to me are controlling and resolving the pandemic. This includes providing additional stimulus support to those in need, including small and cottage businesses.
We also need additional funding for Social Security and tax relief for middle- and low-income people. I’d like to see relief on student loan debt, as well as free or debt-free options for post-secondary education, including skill training.
My priorities would be addressing the pandemic and unifying the nation.
Anna Maria Contreras
Riverwest
63
Yes. I voted the very first day of voting in person.
I have been voting for many years. This election has been different than any other because we have someone in the White House who is unfit to be a leader of this nation. We need someone to work for all of us, not just his rich buddies.
Issues that are important to me are this virus that’s killing so many, jobs and finding leadership in this country. We need a leader who can run this country for all.
I could never be president of this country, nor I would want to . . .  but thanks for asking.
–Compiled by Adam Carr
Wanda Booker
60
Capitol Heights
I requested an absentee ballot in early September.  I personally dropped the completed ballot off at the drop box outside of City Hall two weeks ago.
I have consistently exercised my civic duty to vote since I turned 18. I consider myself an independent voter, but this is by far the most polarizing election of my lifetime.  It seems like we have lost our ability as a nation to disagree but still be able to work together toward common goals.
I think the democracy of our nation is on the line. In the past, the three branches of government have provided checks and balances on the president to curb the abuse of power. It is frightening to know that the commander in chief has no restraints. It is also critical that the U.S. get COVID-19 under control so that people can safely return to work, school and play.
If I were elected president, my first call would be for Americans to unite, especially on the common values that we all hold dear. It shouldn’t take another event like 9/11 to bring us together. I would enact a nationwide COVID-19 plan that would require masks for everyone and bring stakeholders together to develop state-by- state reopening plans to keep businesses running and return kids to school safely.
(Photo courtesy of Robert Bell)
: Everett L. Marshburn
: 72
: South Side
I have already voted.
All presidential elections are important, this one especially.
Restoring honesty and integrity in government, especially in elected officials; social and economic justice.
My two main priorities would be creating social and economic justice and restoring honesty and integrity in government.
Matthew L Mixon
69
A Milwaukee native, he and his wife live on the city’s Northwest Side, near North 61 Street and West Calumet Road
I voted on the first day of early in-person voting, Oct. 20. I arrived before the polls opened and was 18th in line.
Behind me there were at least 30 people, but when I exited the library polling place there were at least 100 others in line. I considered voting by mail, but there’s something about standing in line with my neighbors, seeing folks I seldom see, waiting with common purpose to participate in our democracy.
I’ve vote in EVERY election, but this was my longest wait. When forces try to hamper the voting process, I think Black people become more determined than ever. We stand in long lines, sometimes in the rain or cold; and there’s a solidarity about it.
I remember my first time voting for Barack Obama. It rained that morning where I was living, but folks showed up early anyway. There were smiles and quiet chat. This time, we were on a mission to not be denied. The feelings were similar but different.
The Affordable Care Act is a critical piece of legislation for millions of people and it’s at the top of my list of reasons to vote for Joe Biden. I also believe Biden is invested in addressing global warming and restoring credible diplomacy in our dealings with other countries, many of whom have lost confidence in the stability of the United States. I think a Biden administration will also work to improve race relations and reconnect our country with efforts to deal with global warming.
If I were elected president, I would concentrate first on dealing with COVID-19, then turn to economic recovery.
Other countries need to know we’re not hopeless, and our own people need to be able to trust our government again.
–Compiled by Damia S. Causey
Kai Luanda Gardner Mishlove
55
Sherman Park
I already voted absentee and walked in my ballot
The stakes are high in this election. I feel that we were caught off guard in 2016 and didn’t expect the outcome result would be the presidency of Donald Trump and all of the elevated dysfunction and chaos that has ensued negatively affecting and or threatening sustainable healthcare, minority group rights, immigrant rights, our economy, our environment and our global perception.
Important issues that need to be addressed are affordable healthcare, decline of economies and employment in urban and rural areas, the historical and continued disenfranchisement of so many groups, immigrant rights, refugee resettlement, strengthening public education, protection of our environment, eliminating income inequality and revamping our tax system, which currently benefits the wealthy and corporations while penalizing and further disenfranchising the poor working and middle class. We need living wages and home ownership. We need an education system that educates our children regarding issues that have  been sanitized and/or omitted such as the long-term effects of Indigenous genocide, slavery and Jim Crow, discrimination via employment and housing policies, redlining and restrictive housing covenants. The effects of mass incarceration on communities.
We need a re-evaluation of our justice and police systems and analysis of why we have over militarized our police. The erosion of a clean environment and protection of the natural resources of our earth is causing illness.
We need to address all of these issues in a root cause analysis type of way.
The current administration has almost destroyed the refugee resettlement program through the promotion of xenophobia in the general public that supports a reduction of refugee resettlement numbers and a decrease in funding.  The USA was previously regarded as a safe haven for refugees.
I would never run for president LOL but to answer your question, if I were president , my top priority would be eliminating the cages at the border and reuniting the 545-plus kids separated from their parents complete with mental health services, an official apology and reparations.
An official apology and reparations to the Black community from the U.S. for participation in the African slave trade, Jim Crow and segregation.
An official apology and reparations to the Indigenous Native American community for their genocide. Increase the presidential determination ceiling for refugee numbers and further welcome of refugees and immigrants and community bridge-building between new immigrants and refugees with existing communities.
My other priority would be rebuilding cities and rural areas by massive economic and social capital investment that promotes an active labor force with livable wages, home ownership and cross community collaboration and engagement. My other priority would be to eliminate xenophobia and promote cross cultural appreciation and love of each other.
–Compiled by Ana Martinez-Ortiz
: Terrence Moore Jr.
: East Town
: 21
I am voting, this is my first time
The biggest issue that I feel needs to be addressed is the social justice system.  There are many times where a minority and a white person can do the same crime but get different times in prison.  Or a white person commits a crime such as murder, and a minority has a drug charge. However, the minority will receive a harsher sentence.
If I was elected president my priority would be social justice and change.  Not just for African Americans but for Americans everywhere because we all do struggle, and more often than not, there are instances where a group of people are criminalized and almost degraded due to their beliefs or mere existence.
Joshua Moore
: East Village
: 25
Yes, I have voted already.
This election is a life-changing and monumental experience for African Americans all over the country.  I feel like this election will be the deciding factor for African Americans, Latinx community and all other minority families.
Education is an issue that has been heavily important to me since I was a kid.  The difference in learning and the type of learning experience between urban schools and suburban schools is tremendous.  From kindergarten to fourth grade I went to school in Milwaukee, and then I switched schools and transferred to Mequon. I noticed the gap between how much students are being taught and how they are being supported.  I was also labeled “slow” because I didn’t catch on to certain subjects quick enough.
If I was elected president, I would make sure that all urban schools get the proper funding to ensure student success, and I would ensure that justice is found for the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.
–Compiled by PrincessSafiya Byers
: Iuscely Flores
: Milwaukee’s South Side
: 24
I cannot vote.
I am undocumented.
I haven’t voted, but on April 7 and Aug. 11, I distributed PPE and can attest that this is the most corrupt, unplanned election I have helped observe in the past six years.
Immigration, redistribution of wealth, raising the minimum wage and national efforts to prevent the spread of COVID.
Reparations to all my Black siblings and sisters and giving land back to Native tribes. I would also dismantle trickle-down economics and Reaganomics, make the minimum wage reflect each individual state’s needs, free children from cages at the border, reunite them with their loved ones, offer asylum to everyone currently in the U.S., loosen the requirements to apply to DACA, dismantle the prison industrial complex, unarm police, keep the National Guard at a minimum and strengthen all treaties with pro-democratic countries.
:  Darrin B. Madison Jr.
: Rufus King
: 23
Yes.  I voted absentee.
The urgency of now is in this election.
The ability to flip the Senate and the presidency with candidates closer to Black liberation, women’s choice, environmental sustainability and LGBTQ rights is critical especially with a nation filled with righteous fury. That’s why I’m in Alaska working to flip a Senate seat.”
If I was president, I would prioritize legislation creating green jobs, abolishing the youth justice system, offer clean energy industry training, and realistically explore the abolishment of our current policing model.
: Anthony Espinoza
: Bay View
: 30
Yes.
First and foremost, I was not a father in 2016 and since becoming one, I just cannot help but be filled with anxiety and fear of what four more years of this administration would mean for me and my family’s health. This president and his enablers have shown such a blatant disregard for human life, especially for Black and brown folks.
So many issues. Our response to the pandemic and the destruction it’s caused to our communities (in particular communities of color), the inequities in our healthcare system, climate change, government structure/corruption, child care, right-wing extremism and the threat these groups pose to our democracy.
I
My priority would be to address the racial inequality that’s rampant in our country. I believe all other issues intersect with this one and so by making this my top priority I could address so many more.
Theresa Torres
Dineen Park
: 49
Yes.
It is more life changing than ever.  I feel like America is a big business deal and isn’t addressed properly.
Healthcare, racial injustice, economy, truth, advantages of other cultures, too many to name.
I’m not sure. There is so much that is a mess. Everyone deserves the right to be able to be comfortable and live.
–Compiled by Sam Woods


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Adam Carr
November 1, 2020


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Adam Carr
November 1, 2020


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Election 2020: What you need to know about voter ID for Election Day | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Matt Martinez
November 2, 2020
The simplest form of ID to get on short notice is a state-issued identification card, which can be obtained from the Division of Motor Vehicles. (File photo by Andrea Waxman)
Wisconsin has some of the country’s strictest laws for voter identification.
Here’s what you need to know if you are voting.
Voters will need to present a valid form of photo ID at their polling place to vote in person on Election Day. The following items are considered valid forms of ID:
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The address on these forms of identification do not have to be current. Voters should try to have current photos on their IDs, but as long as the photos look reasonably like them, they should be accepted.
If you find yourself without one of these identification forms on Election Day, you can still cast a provisional ballot that will be counted if you present a valid form of identification to the city clerk’s office by 4 p.m. on Nov. 6.
The Milwaukee City Clerk’s Office is located at 200 E Wells St., Room 205.
The simplest form of ID to get on short notice is a state-issued identification card, which can be obtained from the Division of Motor Vehicles. If you find yourself needing that identification, you should seek it out as soon as possible after trying to place your ballot.
To find your local DMV, click this link.
To get a state-issued ID, you need to present a valid proof of residence, a proof of citizenship or legal status, proof of name and date of birth and a proof of identity to the Division of Motor Vehicles.
As the Wisconsin Elections Commission states, most people will be fine with a birth certificate, utility bill and Social Security card. Original versions of these documents have to be provided, however.
Here is a full list of documents that might be acceptable:
Voters in the military, that live permanently overseas or are classified as confidential electors do not need to present a photo ID to cast an absentee ballot. Indefinitely confined voters also do not need a photo ID to cast a ballot.
Indefinitely confined voters can apply for the status based on their own circumstance. Anyone who might have difficulty traveling outside of the home for an indefinite amount of time because of disability, age or infirmity can apply. This does not require permanent or total inability to travel outside the home.
To learn more about how to cast your ballot if you have disability, read our previous reporting.
There are also exemptions for religious reasons for those who wish not to be photographed, but these individuals will still need a state-issued ID.

author: Matt Martinez


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
November 2, 2020


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Post from Community: Carthage, MATC, UWM AND UW-Parkside commit to national commit to national “Moon Shot for Equity” | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Area Technical College
November 2, 2020
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Carthage College, Milwaukee Area Technical College, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside are joining a national initiative led by education firm EAB aimed at ending equity gaps in higher education by 2030.
These institutions comprise the first regional consortium of higher education institutions to sign on to the “Moon Shot for Equity.” Carthage, MATC, UWM and UW-Parkside will work together and with EAB to help more underrepresented students of color and other historically underserved populations graduate from college.
“UW-Milwaukee and our regional higher ed counterparts are completely committed to this initiative and continuing our work to eliminate equity gaps in our region. This is one of the most important things we can do to advance the future of our state,” UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone said.
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According to data compiled by the Higher Education Regional Alliance, 56% of white students in the seven-county Milwaukee region earned a degree or certificate within six years in 2020. Only 32% of Hispanic students and 20% of Black students completed degrees or certificates in that time frame.
“Wisconsin is dead last in the country in the high school equity gap for Black students, and in the bottom seven of all 50 states for Hispanic students,” Mone said. “These gaps continue into higher education, and we find this unacceptable. We need to provide fair and equitable access to college and successful graduation for all our students.”
As part of the Moon Shot initiative, all four institutions will receive equity-mindedness training from outside experts and implement 15 research-based best practices proven to remove systemic barriers to success. Participating schools will receive expert guidance from national Moon Shot mentors Houston GPS and Georgia State University.
“UW-Parkside’s commitment to eliminate persistent equity gaps is unwavering, and while we have made progress over the past decade we have more work to do,” UW-Parkside Chancellor Debbie Ford said. “Joining with our Milwaukee region higher education colleagues, EAB, national experts and philanthropies for the Moon Shot for Equity positions us to provide more students, especially students of color, a pathway to a university education.
“As a first-generation college graduate, I know the impact of higher education, and now it is time to pay this forward for the next generation,” Ford added.
EAB will provide schools with technology and advisory services, as well as research that will help to enhance the work ongoing at each institution. Organizers hope that the Moon Shot collaboration in southeastern Wisconsin will inspire two- and-four-year institutions in other regions of the country to band together to  take part in the initiative.
“As we look to continually improve our systems and processes, it often seems daunting to make real progress. It helps to know that other communities, regions and institutes of higher education have faced similar challenges, persevered and succeeded,” said MATC President Vicki J. Martin. “We know we can close our equity gaps in education — and impact equity gaps in employment, housing and income — because we have learned from those who have already done this important work and applied best practices that fit our college.”
Participating institutions also will partner with local high schools and community-based organizations to help more underserved students attend college by providing them with resources and information on how to identify best-fit universities, search for scholarships and connect with counselors. These resources, offered through College Greenlight, will be provided free of charge.
“These disparities have existed far too long in every sector of higher education, public and private,” said John R. Swallow, president and CEO of Carthage. “In the same way that a national effort brought the moon within reach in the 1960s, we can plant a flag for equity in southeastern Wisconsin by channeling our collective will and expertise.”
The name of the initiative derives from another ambitious national goal. NASA’s successful moon shot more than five decades ago proved that obstacles can be overcome by fully committing and working together in innovative ways, EAB Chief Executive Officer David Felsenthal said.
“Through the Moon Shot for Equity, regions like greater Milwaukee will confront racial inequality in college completion and at the same time, boost economic recovery in their communities by producing more college graduates,” Felsenthal said.
Visit eab.com/moonshot to learn more about the project.

author: Milwaukee Area Technical College


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The NNS coronavirus update: What Milwaukee residents need to know the week of Nov. 2 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Matt Martinez
November 2, 2020
Hospitalizations in Milwaukee County reached 325 last week, nearly 100 more cases than the previous peak in April. (Photo by Adam Carr)
Here’s the latest update on COVID-19 in Milwaukee and the resources you need to combat it.
Ben Weston, director of medical services for the Milwaukee County Department of Emergency Management, advises Election Day voters to follow COVID-19 protocols when they cast their ballots: Wear a mask. Watch your distance. And wash your hands before and after entering a polling place.
Weston encouraged voters to pick times of day when fewer people are likely to be at polling stations, such as mid-morning. He also encouraged voters to bring their own pens.
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Claire Woodall-Vogg, executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission, said over half of the county’s registered voters either requested an absentee ballot or voted early as of Tuesday. Woodall-Vogg said this could mean less congestion at the polls Tuesday.
Woodall-Vogg said the commission has hired 3,500 election workers to staff the city’s 173 polling places on Tuesday. Woodall-Vogg said many of the volunteers are younger and at a lower risk for COVID-19.
There will also be other safeguards at polling places, such as Plexiglass between poll workers and voters. Here are more tips on how you can cast your vote safely.
Hospitalizations in Milwaukee County reached 325 last week, nearly 100 more cases than the previous peak in April. The county is now seeing its “third surge” of COVID-19.
“Surge” is a term used by public health officials to identify times of uncontrolled disease spread. There have been three surges so far in Milwaukee County: one in April, one in July and the current surge that began in October.
Weston said that there has been an increase in demand for testing, and an increase in the percentage of positive tests. Weston called this a “bad combination that indicated very high disease activity in our community.”
“The curve is not flattening,” Weston said. “We’re not rounding any corner. We’re seeing a steady and steep upward trend in cases, hospitalizations, and tragically, deaths.”
Weston said there are hard days ahead and urged residents to continue to be mindful.
“Every individual decision, every gathering avoided certainly makes a difference,” Weston said.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said last week that there was a new surge in testing. The Miller Park testing site as well as the two community testing sites were at or near capacity on Oct. 26.
Demand for testing was so great on that date that people were turned away. Officials said 2,300 people were tested at Miller Park, roughly 300 more than the state capacity of 2,000 per day.
About 462 tests were conducted at the Northwest Side Health Center and 340 at the Southside Health Center.
“We understand that it’s frustrating to be turned away from a testing site, but please know that we share your frustration,” Crowley said.
Barrett said although the city has more testing capabilities than ever, the demand has increased dramatically with the third surge.
Interim Health Commissioner Marlaina Jackson also said leaders are working on providing weekend hours for the city-run testing sites, particularly at Miller Park.
Jackson urged people to visit the TestUpMKE site to find COVID-19 testing locations.
The Milwaukee Health Department issued a new order Thursday that limits public indoor gatherings to 10 people or fewer, not including employees. Public outdoor gatherings also are limited to 25 people or fewer, and religious and political gatherings are limited to 100 people at a time.
Bars and restaurants without a city-approved COVID-19 safety plan will also be limited to 25% capacity. All patrons will have to be seated unless they are arriving, departing or using the restroom. Dance floors will also be closed for the duration of the order.
School sports will also be limited to intra-squad or intra-school unless a safety plan is approved by the health department. Any approved safety plan would require testing every three days. Schools will also be monitored for safety and can continue with online instruction.
Grocery store capacity also will be limited to one person per 30 square feet of open floor space.
Jackson said the order was “not meant to be punitive,” adding officials understand the effect this will have on businesses and the families that rely on them.
“Our hope is that by updating this order, we get to a place where we can be fully open again,” Jackson said.
Read our story here.
To obtain a free mask, residents can visit these sites:
NNS reporters also gathered a list of where to buy locally made masks if you’re looking to show some local business love when masking up.
Check the City of Milwaukee Health Department’s website for the most updated facts and answers to questions about the mask ordinance.
Look here for up-to-date statistics on COVID-19 in the county. More precautions on how to stay safe and information on COVID-19 can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.
Contact your health provider, call IMPACT 2-1-1 or take a look at the county’s testing site map to find a testing center near you. The free community testing sites at the Northwest Health Center, 7630 W. Mill Rd., and Southside Health Center, 1639 S. 23rd St., are now open and operating. Miller Park is also opening as a testing site effective Oct. 19.
For more information on testing, including how to identify symptoms and when you should get tested, visit TestUpMKE.com. Available in English, Spanish, Hmong, Burmese and Arabic.
Check out our continuing coronavirus coverage.
Looking for more personalized direction to resources and information during the coronavirus crisis? Get connected with News414, a texting-based news resource from Milwaukee NNS, Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media. You can text MILWAUKEE to 73224 and begin to receive free, personalized data via text messages.


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Milwaukee Public Schools joins national lawsuit against e-cigarette companies | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
November 4, 2020
Flavored tobacco products have been blamed for hooking young people on nicotine. Here Emme Chavez, teen outreach specialist for the Wisconsin Hispanic Tobacco Prevention Network, holds packaging from one candy-flavored product (left) next to two candy-flavored tobacco wrappers in 2013. (File photo by Edgar Mendez)
Milwaukee Public Schools is joining a nationwide lawsuit against companies that manufacture and sell e-cigarettes.
Keller Rohrback and MWH Law Group filed the class-action lawsuit against JUUL Labs Inc., alleging that the e-cigarette company’s advertising and product design deliberately targeted minors, and that Altria Group Inc., previously known as Philip Morris Companies and a part owner of JUUL, knowingly supported targeting minors.
A JUUL company spokesman said the company has halted advertising, eliminated flavored products other than menthol and submitted documents to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration outlining the products’ “harm reduction potential” and measures to address underage use.
Data from MPS’ Youth Behavior Risk Survey, an annual survey of sixth- through 12-graders on health behaviors, including tobacco use, shows e-cigarette use, or vaping, is more prevalent than the use of traditional cigarettes.
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In 2019, only 3% of high schoolers reported they used traditional cigarettes, while 8% reported using e-cigarettes. Similarly, only 3% of middle schoolers reported using traditional cigarettes, compared with 9% using e-cigarettes.
Linnea Laestadius, an associate professor at UW-Milwaukee’s Zilber School of Public Health, says that while flavored e-cigarettes are a problem for teen tobacco use, the availability of other flavored tobacco products also needs to be limited. Here she presents her findings about tobacco sales and advertising in Milwaukee. (File photo by Lydia Slattery)
Milwaukee City Attorney Tearman Spencer said this illustrates the damage done to the progress the city had made in curbing tobacco use before e-cigarettes arrived.
“It took years to get to the relatively low level of youth tobacco use we had in 2017 before this, at great cost to the city,” Spencer said. “It is not fair for MPS or the city to bear the entire cost of undoing what these companies did.”
The Common Council will also vote on whether to join the suit.
Spencer said he’s unsure about the timing of the lawsuit, but that if “we are super lucky,” it’ll take a couple of years.
Backlash against flavored tobacco products is not new.
Anti-tobacco advocates in Milwaukee have for years said flavored products are dangerous because they are designed to appeal to young people.
But Linnea Laestadius, associate professor at the UW-Milwaukee’s Zilber School of Public Health, stresses that going after e-cigarette companies attacks only part of the problem. For example, while JUUL has pulled all flavors of its products other than menthol since the lawsuit, cigarillos are still available in all kinds of flavors.
In MPS’ 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 8% of high school youth said they used e-cigarettes regularly, compared with 6% who use cigarillos. Only 3% said they use cigarettes.

created: November 4, 2020

author: Sam Woods


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
November 3, 2020

created: November 3, 2020


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PHOTOS: We see you, Milwaukee: A look at the faces of democracy | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sue Vliet
November 4, 2020
While Milwaukee saw early voting at historic levels, many of our neighbors cast their vote on Election Day at their local polling place.
Check them out.
This gallery features portraits of voters and poll workers on the North Side.
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author: Sue Vliet


text:
| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
November 4, 2020


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Milwaukee sees decrease in lead testing during pandemic | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
November 5, 2020
Lead testing is down 39 percent in 2020, including a 27 percent decline in the number of children tested. (File photo by Jabril Faraj)
The pandemic, officials say, has led to a decrease in the number of lead tests conducted this year in Milwaukee, a major concern in a city whose Health Department has been criticized for its handling of the public health crisis.
Marivel Montejano, director of home environmental health for the City of Milwaukee Health Department, said comparing 2019 data to 2020 data through September shows a 39 percent decline in lead tests performed and a 27 percent decline in the number of children tested.
The reason for the drop: a coronavirus pandemic that has kept parents and children out of clinics for regular and follow-up visits and hindered the ability for health care and lead assessment workers to get into homes to conduct vital risk-reduction work.
About 9.2 percent of Milwaukee children under the age of 5 who were tested in 2018 had blood lead levels of more than 5 micrograms per deciliter.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, recommends interventions for any children with lead exposure levels of 5 micrograms per deciliter or higher to minimize the risk of lifelong health, learning and behavior problems.
Fueling more concerns are the rising number of children spending more time at home due to virtual schooling and other factors, and that older homes and buildings are primary sources of lead exposure.
Montejano said the pandemic forced changes in protocol “to ensure both the safety of staff going into families’ homes and the families themselves.”
Those changes included a pre-visit telephone screening for COVID-19 symptoms or possible exposure and referrals to local coronavirus testing sites.
Home visits, if necessary, are planned based on recommended COVID-19 timeframes, she said. During the pandemic, the city’s home environmental health division continued to respond to and investigate all cases in which lead levels were high, she added.
In extreme cases where children had blood levels of 20 micrograms per deciliter or higher, the families receive clinical case management services along with physical and neurological developmental screenings by public health nurse case managers.  An environmental investigation by certified lead risk assessors is completed for the home in those cases, and education on how to minimize future exposure and a Healthy Homes Kit is provided, Montejano said.
COVID-19 has also caused disruptions for the Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers’ Lead Outreach Program.
“When March and COVID presented itself, it put the whole lead program on hold in terms of doing home visits,” said Marcos De La Cruz, clinical director of the organization’s lead program. COVID-19 “threw everybody for a loop.”
Pre-pandemic, he said, outreach workers conducted door-to-door visits, in-home lead testing and lead abatement work in addition to follow-up lead testing and other services for children who tested with high exposure levels.
“Because there is no medication for children with elevated levels, the education provided to parents focuses on proper nutrition and removing risks,” De La Cruz said. “Not being able to see patients in person made things difficult.”
Although it was no longer able to conduct in-home visits, the clinic did follow up with children who tested with elevated levels of lead, and it conducted visual assessments of homes via Zoom when possible, he said.
The center was able to continue to conduct lead tests on children during their six-, 12- and 18-month checkups, and during their annual checkups for kids ages 2 to 5, so the staff was able to capture a big group of patients, he said.
Sixteenth Street has been working since September to bring a backlog of children who need retests or other services back to the clinic. A decision to resume in-home visits will be made once the positive rate of COVID-19 cases goes down.
“There’s nothing set in stone for the near future, but we’re ready when we are able to,” De La Cruz said.
The decrease in lead screenings is a major concern for U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, a Milwaukee native. She said her office recently requested information on lead testing for the state.
“They confirmed that preliminary data indicated that tests for children under 6 were down, especially in the early part of this year,” Moore said.
Moore joined other members in Congress who sent a letter to Robert R. Redfield, director of the CDC, that requested additional federal funds and resources be allocated to address the COVID-19-related challenges to lead testing.
Locally, Ald. Martina Dimitrijevic authored a 2021 budget amendment to expand the SafeHomes Lead Abatement Initiative, which would increase lead abatement and lead hazard inspection capacity for the Milwaukee Health Department and the Department of Neighborhood Services.
The amendment, which is part of a larger omnibus package co-sponsored by several Common Council members, would increase funds for the program with $500,000 in Tax Incremental Financing resources. The money would be used to create a new lead abatement program that focuses on owner-occupied dwellings, according to a news release issued last week by Dimitrijevic.
“Sadly, a large number of properties across Milwaukee contain lead exposure threats from water and from surfaces that contain lead-based paints,” Dimitrijevic said.
The city is well behind its goal to replace 1,100 lead water lines at homes and businesses by the end of the year, and seven decades away from removing all public and private-owned lead water service lines.
Several groups have said that these lines, also known as “lead laterals,” are a primary source of childhood lead poisoning in Milwaukee. The city has contended that lead paint is the main source of lead poisoning in children and that the city’s water meets all federal safety guidelines.
According to the CDC, there is no safe level of exposure to lead, and exposure can cause behavior problems and learning disabilities in young children and also harm adults. A 2019 study by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, which examined data on more than 89,000 people born in the city from 1989 to 2003, found that childhood lead exposure increased the risk of being a perpetrator or victim of gun violence.
In terms of what parents and others can do to protect their children from exposure to lead hazards, Montejano said they should look out for paint that is chipping, peeling or flaking around windows, porches, fences and garages.
Parents and guardians should always use soap and water when washing or cleaning hands, toys, bottles, pacifiers and other items.
Montejano urged residents to use NSF/ANSI 53 water filters, which are certified to remove lead, and to avoid products that are imported and may contain lead — such as cosmetics, candies, spices, cookware and medicines.
“Feeding children healthy foods that contain iron, calcium and vitamin C minimizes the absorption of lead in the body,” Montejano said. “Most importantly, have children tested for lead poisoning.”
For more information on lead testing in the City of Milwaukee or to receive a Healthy Homes Kit, you can call the Home Environmental Health Program at 414-286-2165.

created: November 5, 2020


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5 things to do and know the weekend of Nov. 6 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
November 6, 2020
Northwest Side Community Development Corporation is looking for volunteers to help clean up Lincoln Creek and West Basin. (Photo provided by Nearby Nature Milwaukee)
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about as the nation grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon Thursday.
1. ”I am a voter/Soy votante” community art project: Friday, Nov. 6
Voces de la Frontera and Youth Empowered in the Struggle are celebrating voter diversity with a community art initiative. The project is called “I am a voter/Soy votante/Soy Vocero/Soy Vocera.” Local photographers will be taking pictures of voters. The group plans to share the images on social media and use them in future campaigns. The project will take place at 733 W. Historic Mitchell St., from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6.
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2. Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market: Saturday, Nov. 7
Milwaukee’s winter farmers market has returned for its 12th season. The market, located within the greenhouse annex at The Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd., will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. There will be about 30 local vendors selling produce, bakery, cheese, handmade soap and more. The season is scheduled to end on Saturday, March 27.
3. Foster care in the community information session: Saturday, Nov. 7
Milwaukee Recreation is offering a free course on foster care in the community. The class will take place at the Riverside Community Center, 1615 E. Locust St., from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. Click here to register.
4. Fall cleanup on Lincoln Creek and West Basin: Saturday, Nov. 7
Northwest Side Community Development Corporation and its partners are cleaning up Lincoln Creek and West Basin and looking for volunteers to join. The group is meeting at the Bee Bus Sign, 4350 N. 35th St., at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. Trash bags will be provided, but volunteers are asked to bring their own gloves and to wear a mask.
5. “Where did they go?” nature hike: Saturday, Nov. 7
Hawthorn Glen Outdoor Education Center, 1130 N. 60th St., is hosting a hike from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. Participants will explore the quiet and stillness of fall and learn where all the bugs, birds and flowers have disappeared to. Registration costs $5 for City of Milwaukee residents and $8 for nonresidents.
Bonus: Service journalism for Milwaukee: News414
Earlier this year, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media launched News414. News414 is service journalism that works for and with Milwaukee residents to provide them with the information they need regarding housing, mental health and domestic violence, food security, health and safety and jobs and money. Join News414 today by texting MILWAUKEE to 73224.
Bonus: The latest coronavirus coverage from NNS
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service reporters are hard at work bringing readers up-to-date information regarding coronavirus. Stay informed on coronavirus by following us on our Facebook page and subscribing to our daily newsletter. All coronavirus related articles can be found on this landing page. If you have a question or concern about coronavirus, send them in our way. We’re here to serve you.

created: November 6, 2020


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
November 5, 2020


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NNS Spotlight: ‘It’s up to us to paint a picture’: Milwaukee youth release album to mark a chaotic year | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
November 6, 2020
Running Rebels youth have a lot on their mind in 2020, and you can hear it in their latest album, “2020: The Vision.” (Photo provided by Running Rebels Community Organization)
Editor’s note: This story is part of an  occasional series that highlights groups and people worth knowing in Milwaukee. To nominate a person or a group, email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “Spotlight” in the subject line.
When you think of the sounds of protest, you probably think of hundreds of people chanting in unison or a speech being delivered.
But with the release of “2020: The Vision,” Running Rebels Community Organization is stressing human connections during a time when our world has been rocked by a pandemic, protests and a nail-biter presidential election.
“Everyone was upset. Everyone was fed up. So we decided to come together and put it all into words,” said Victor Barnett Jr., who goes  by RB Vic and is a longtime Running Rebels youth and rapper featured on multiple tracks.
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The album was released on Aug. 13, the 40 anniversary of Running Rebels, a nonprofit organization that engages, mentors and guides Milwaukee youth.
“2020: The Vision” is a collaboration with the 300 Strong project and several local musicians and focuses on issues that the creatives say have been building up within them throughout the year.
Behind the scenes of the production of “2020: The Vision.” Many tracks on the album have accompanying music videos. (Photo provided by Running Rebels Community Organization)
Britt Nicole, a spoken word artist who works with Running Rebels youth, said artists are uniquely positioned to stir people to action.
Projects like these make it difficult for people to ignore the subjects they touch on, she said.
“As a creative, we’re the scribes and storytellers. It’s up to us to paint a picture,” Nicole said. “Some people fail or refuse to see the world as it is, but when art is in your face, you can’t deny it.”
Nicole opens the album with “SOS,” a spoken word piece that sets the tone for the project.
“Black lives been mattering
you’re not a trend, never been
you’re more than marches and riots, mass incarceration
you’re change agents
shifting mindsets and policies and situations with your celestial presence.”
Nicole said she was motivated to participate in part because she felt hard conversations about racism in our everyday lives are not being had, and that the conversations that do happen often revolve around looting.
“The fact that we still have to constantly say ‘Black lives matter’? That’s exhausting,” Nicole said. “We’re making a spectacle out of it and not having real conversations. Until we’re having real conversations, the needle is not going to move.”
“2020: The Vision” is not the only example of young people creating art that accompanies larger social movements.
Leaders Igniting Transformation’s “C-Space” project launched earlier this year to provide a space for young Black and Brown creatives. The local nonprofit Arts @ Large’s Sacred Garden project allows poets to add their skills to social movements as well.
Alongside these and other projects, Dae Flywalker said the album is meant to be a time capsule capturing what young artists are thinking and feeling during a challenging year.
“When we do get to a point where we’ve healed as a country, we want to look back on projects like this as a kind of time capsule of reminders of where we came from,” Flywalker said.
“Twenty years from now people are going to be able to come back to this project and take words that inspire them to creative positive change in their own lives.”
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Running Rebels’ vision: To see the best in kids, even if they don’t see it themselves


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Post from Community: ‘COVID-19 and Our Children’ virtual series by Seeds of Health wraps up November 9 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Seeds of Health
November 8, 2020
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
The final segment of Seeds of Health’s ‘COVID-19 and Our Children’ virtual series is scheduled to take place Monday, November 9 at 10am. Amanda Ramirez and Claudia Moreno, two school-based therapists from SaintA, will lead the discussion on current mental health trends and concerns our youth are experiencing right now, the potential longer-term dangers for youth living during the current health pandemic, and steps that can be taken to build resiliency in our youth.
Monday, Nov. 9, 10:00 AM via ZOOM
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Guest Speakers: Amanda Ramirez, MS, LPC, School-Based Therapist, SaintA; Claudia Moreno, School-Based Therapist, SaintA
Topic: The Emotional Lives of Our Children in a COVID-19 World
**The event is free but registration is required by November 7 at: https://web.mmac.org/events/The-Emotional-Lives-of-Children-in-a-COVID19-World-2707/details
The virtual series is put on by Seeds of Health with sponsorship from Kapco, Inc. Past events in this series can be viewed on Seeds of Health’s website: https://www.seedsofhealth.org/apps/news/category/4913
About Seeds of Health, Inc.
Founded in 1983, Seeds of Health, Inc. is the only K-12 charter school agency in the state of Wisconsin serving approximately 1,300 students in four high schools and a K-8 elementary program. The five individual and unique education programs serve a broad range of student needs – from at-risk to the college bound. Seeds of Health is Milwaukee’s innovative “home grown” answer to imaginative, collaborative and cutting-edge education options, with the vision to positively impact the growth and development of urban children. For more information, please visit www.seedsofhealth.org.

created: November 8, 2020

author: Seeds of Health


text:
SOH-Logo.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Name *
November 6, 2020


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Post from Community: Shechem on 26th and Capitol bringing refuge, redemption, and reconciliation to Milwaukee | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Hope Street Ministry
November 8, 2020
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
In a neighborhood known for its negative statistics, Shechem will be a safe place and a new beginning. A place to see through growth in our neighborhood and build community across greater Milwaukee. A space designed to meet and work through our collective brokenness, together.
Hope Street Ministry, a non-profit committed to building community on Milwaukee’s Northside for over 20 years, is developing Shechem at Hope Street, a community center and haven of hope. The building, designed to house a gym, classrooms, cafe, resource center, rooftop patio and garden and event spaces, will welcome people from all across Milwaukee to come together, learn and grow alongside one another.
Shechem is a place where we can join together, reach across the table and to begin the work of breaking down preconceived notions. A place where we have the ability to open our hearts and minds to what has put people in the places and situations different than our own and how we can grow from there.
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Shechem will give Hope Street a place to partner with other organizations in our community doing good, but who might not have the space to run programming.  It will invite in local leaders, businesses and community members to join together and invest in this neighborhood.
It’s a place for healing, fun and growth. Shechem’s spaces and programming will allow people to focus on holistic wellbeing. It’s a place for people to cultivate hope, disrupt brokenness and go on to lead flourishing lives.
Hope Street is entering into phase 1 of the build by laying the foundation. You can find out more about Shechem at https://www.hopestreetministry.org/shechem
Hope Street Ministry is a not-for-profit organization in the city of Milwaukee, creating spaces to help form healthy communities.

author: Hope Street Ministry


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5 things to do and know this week in Milwaukee: Nov. 9 to Nov. 14 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
November 9, 2020
DreamBikes Milwaukee is looking for volunteers to help fix bikes on weeknights. (NNS file photo)
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about as the nation grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by .
1. “Lager & Listen” series tackles entrepreneurship and raising capital: MKE Black and MobCraft Beer are hosting “Entrepreneurship and raising capital: Accessibility and challenges from a minority perspective.” The event is part of the “Lager & Listen” series. It will take place virtually at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10. To register, click here. The co-moderators include Henry Schwartz, Aryton Byran, Dana Guthrie, Jason Fields and Abe Chu.
2. Red Cross and Milwaukee Fire Department blood driveThe Milwaukee Fire Department is hosting a blood drive at the Milwaukee Safety Academy, 6680 N. Teutonia Ave., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Click here to choose a donation time.
3. Volunteer nights at DreamBikes MilwaukeeDreamBikes Milwaukee is hosting weekly volunteer nights. This week, the event will take place at DreamBikes, 2021 N. Martin Luther King Drive, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Click here to sign up. Volunteers will work on bikes that will be given away to community organizations and in-house projects. Volunteers also will have access to parts at the shop to work on their own bikes.
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As part of its Community Wealth Building Campaign, Walnut Way is hosting an online showcase where viewers can meet entrepreneurs from Lindsay Heights. The showcase will take place virtually on Zoom from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12. To register for the webinar, click here.
5. “Embodied Truth: Finding ways to move together”Cooperative Performance’s production “Embodied Truth: Finding ways to move together” will be streaming from noon until 11:45 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13. Click here to purchase tickets. The show combines dance, spoken word and storytelling. It explores the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements. The show will be available until Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021.
Service journalism for Milwaukee: News414
Earlier this year, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media launched News414. News414 is service journalism that works for and with Milwaukee residents to provide them with the information they need regarding housing, mental health and domestic violence, food security, health and safety and jobs and money. Join News414 today by texting MILWAUKEE to 73224.
The latest coronavirus coverage from NNS
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service reporters are hard at work bringing readers up-to-date information regarding coronavirus. Stay informed by following us on our Facebook page and subscribing to our daily newsletter. All coronavirus related articles can be found on this landing page. If you have a question or concern about coronavirus, send them in our way. We’re here to serve you.

created: November 9, 2020


text:
| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
November 8, 2020