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Larry Miller elected President, Milwaukee Board of School Directors | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Office of Board Governance, Milwaukee Public Schools
May 1, 2019
The Milwaukee Board of School Directors unanimously elected Director Larry Miller to serve as its president for the 2019-2020 Board year. Director Tony Báez will serve as the Board’s vice-president for the ensuing year. The vote came Tuesday night during the annual organizational meeting of the Board.
In an effort to utilize the individual expertise and talents of the members of the Board, President Miller announced the committee assignments that he has made for the 2019-2020 school year:
Committee on Accountability, Finance, and Personnel:
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Director Phillips, Chair; Director Herndon, Vice-Chair; Director Miller, Director Siemsen, Director O’Halloran
Committee on Student Achievement and School Innovation:
Director Báez, Chair; Director Siemsen, Vice-Chair; Director Taylor, Director Peterson, Director Woodward
Committee on Legislation, Rules and Policies:
Director Herndon, Chair; Director Báez, Vice-Chair; Director Miller, Director Peterson, Director Woodward
Committee on Parent and Community Engagement:
Director Woodward, Chair; Director O’Halloran, Vice-Chair; Director Taylor, Director Phillips, Director Siemsen
Committee on Strategic Planning and Budget:
Director Peterson, Chair; Director Taylor, Vice-Chair; Director Herndon, Director Siemsen, Director Woodward, Director Miller, Director Báez, Director Phillips, Director O’Halloran
For more information, call the Office of Board Governance at (414) 475-8284.


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OPINION: Dear white gallery owner: Here’s how not to erase the narratives of Milwaukee’s black and brown artists | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Katie Avila Loughmiller and fellow members of LUNA
May 1, 2019
Members of LUNA, which includes artists practicing a variety of artistic mediums, after a meeting in Spring 2019 (Photo courtesy of LUNA)
Editor’s note: Got something on your mind? “Community Voices” is the place to let Milwaukee hear what you have to say. To be considered, we need your name, email address and phone number for verification. Please email your submissions to info@milwaukeenns.org.
Katie Avila Loughmiller, an interdisciplinary social practice artist and co-founder of LUNA (Latinas Unidas en las Artes), writes that white Milwaukee gallery owners need to learn to be more inclusive and less racist.
We’re used to being left out. The lack of Latinx representation is evident from the entertainment industry, to roles in leadership, and even here in Milwaukee where you will be hard pressed to find us being represented in the arts community.
Through hard work, however, we are seeing the tide change in all these areas. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez not only worked and fought her way into a Congress seat but also rightly earned a spot on the cover of Time magazine. Yalitza Aparicio was nominated for best actress at the Oscars for her stunning performance in “Roma.” And in Milwaukee, Latina artists have come together to create LUNA, or Latinas Unidas en las Artes. After an amazing first year, we are making sure that we are being heard and seen even more in year two.
That being said, we still roll our eyes when large group shows announced as “inclusive” and “diverse” somehow have zero Latina artist representation. LUNA comprises 30 women, and this doesn’t come close to making up all the Latina artists in this city. Yet we don’t expect that a show of 38 “Milwaukee Influencers” would have the room for Latinas when they need to make sure that over a third of their show is filled with white male artists.
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As artists who are constantly creating and engaging in the community, while simultaneously juggling side-hustles to pay rent, we don’t have the time or luxury to call out every single gallery owner or curator for continuing to ignore our existence. On the other hand, if and when you blatantly exclude us and misappropriate our culture – we will call you out.
Recently, we came across a show called “Arte de Mujeres” at a local gallery in a neighborhood that rhymes with way-blue. This show, which seemed to be in honor of Cinco de Mayo, had no Latinx artists and clearly had no Latinx people involved in the planning as evidenced by the event description.
We called the gallery owner, a self-described liberal, and educated her on why misappropriating our culture will not be tolerated. After putting in the work to educate this gallery owner, we decided to create a list for those who have “great intentions” but continue to erase the narratives of black and brown folks. This gallery isn’t the only gallery to have created a show that is completely problematic, and it likely won’t be the last.
Here are five guidelines to move the conversation forward in hopes to create a more inclusive and less racist Milwaukee (or insert the city you live in).
1. Stop appropriating whole cultures.
If you are going to call a show, say “Arte de Mujeres,” you are going to want to have women artists in that show who know what that means without using Google translate.
2. Don’t use cultural holidays as themes.
While many Americans use Cinco de Mayo as an excuse to drink an abundance of tequila and sport a sombrero, this doesn’t mean we should celebrate this fact. And let’s definitely not excuse binge drinking on Cinco de Mayo by saying we do it on St. Patrick’s Day. Both, if we all really think about it, are entirely questionable.
While somebody made a killing in the T-shirt business, we actually aren’t all Irish on St. Patrick’s Day and we’re definitely not all Mexican on the Fifth of May. Furthermore, maybe don’t celebrate a holiday you know nothing about. Remember that tweet President Donald Trump made before he was elected? Maybe we can learn a lot from him. If he celebrates Cinco de Mayo by eating “taco bowls,” it’s definitely inappropriate to follow suit. Actually, on second thought, do eat taco bowls on Cinco de Mayo but don’t tweet about it. Because guess what? Cinco de Mayo “snacks” are just Mexican food. You can literally go out and support a local Mexican restaurant 365 days of the year and drink and eat all the margaritas, tacos and tortilla chips you want. In fact, we dare you all not to wait until Cinco de Mayo.
3. Apologize publicly and make amends.
If you happen to upset the exact people whose culture you’re stealing from, don’t delete our complaints off your Facebook event. Anybody can apologize behind closed doors, but if you really want to prove you’re open to education on these things, apologize openly. And don’t make excuses for your ignorance. You messed up. You missed the mark. You didn’t know better and you should have. Don’t humblebrag that many people know you’re a great person. You had a bad moment. It’s embarrassing, maybe even painful, but you have to face the fact that your actions caused pain too – and not a new pain. Pain we’ve been dealing with our entire lives. So your temporary pain over being called out for your racism, however inadvertent that racism was, is nothing. Live in it and experience only a minuscule of what your black and brown friends have had to experience on a damn near daily basis.
4. Collaborate with people of color.
This all could have been avoided had there been Latinx people involved. Twelve artists and performers and somewhere between two to three people from the gallery and nobody said, “Huh, that’s kinda weird?” After one of the LUNA members posted in the group, it took all of four seconds for an 87-comment chain to emerge. We didn’t scratch our heads and send shrug emojis – very much the opposite. Of course, this doesn’t just mean find yourself “A” Latinx, or any other person of color, friend/collaborator. You don’t want to become that person that says, “but I have a friend who is Latina…” And even if you check in with the one collaborator who has more melanin than you, that doesn’t mean this person is woke either.
Unfortunately, ignorance isn’t racist. We all have our biases and we here in Milwaukee, whose claim to fame is beer, cheese and the most segregated city in America, should know that better than anyone. You’re going to have to do some work to diversify your circle, and it’s not going to happen overnight. We understand that. What we don’t understand is why you’re still scared to come to the North and South sides of Milwaukee.
5. Hire, represent and show up for diverse talent.
Finally, start genuinely supporting all artists of color. We make art and we find ways to show it despite it being twice as hard as it is for white artists. If you’re a curator or a gallery owner, stop this nonsense of having a majority of white artists in your shows. If you’re just a person who likes art, find our shows and show up!
We hope these guidelines inspire you – whether it’s shaking your head in acknowledgment or realizing you’ve got a lot of work to do. Either way, keep your chin up, look out and make room for us – because we aren’t going anywhere.
You can support LUNA as early as this Sunday, May 5th 1pm-3pm for the opening reception for our first exhibition of 2019 at Leenhouts Gallery located inside the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee located at 1342 N Astor Street. This show will run through June 28. We will also be featured artists at Milwaukee Art Museum for Kohl’s Art Generation Family Sundays: Wisconsin Artists program: Sunday, May 5th, 11am-3pm. For more upcoming events follow us on Facebook and Instagram @lunamkeofficial.

source: news-milwaukeenns

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


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
April 30, 2019

author: Adam Carr


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 1, 2019


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image2 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
April 30, 2019


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Supervisor Taylor hosts youth courthouse day | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Supervisor Sequanna Taylor
May 1, 2019
Supervisor Sequanna Taylor hosted “Youth Courthouse Day” at the Milwaukee County Courthouse on Tuesday to give high school students a look inside the youth justice system.
“Youth Courthouse Day will inspire students to make good choices, stay in school, and pursue higher education so that the best possible opportunities are open to them,” said Supervisor Sequanna Taylor.
About 20 students from Golda Meir and Holy Redeemer high schools met with Chief Judge Maxine White, and participated in a mock courtroom role-playing scenario where they took turns acting out the roles of attorneys, judge, and courtroom staff.
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Students ate their lunch in the break room for juries and met with the Clerk of Courts, John Barrett.
Students also visited the intake room and evidence room in the Milwaukee County Safety Building and met with representatives of the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office.
Bria Smith, President of the City of Milwaukee Youth Council, and Kalan Haywood II, Wisconsin’s youngest state legislator, spoke with participating youth in the County Board room about how youth can get involved and make a difference in issues they care about and that represent justice to them, and afterwards toured the offices of the County Board of Supervisors.
This year’s Youth Courthouse Day is the third organized by Supervisor Taylor since she took first office in April 2016.

author: Supervisor Sequanna Taylor


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Clarke Square Apartments groundbreaking ceremony | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Cardinal Capital Management, Inc
May 2, 2019
Cardinal Capital Management, Inc., in partnership with Journey House, will join local, state and federal officials, as well as investors and the community to celebrate the groundbreaking of Clarke Square Apartments, which is composed of two three-story buildings with 40 apartments. The ceremony will commence at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 3rd at 2330 W. Vieau Pl. in Milwaukee.
Clarke Square Apartments is the result of a partnership between Cardinal Capital Management and Journey House. “Clarke Square Apartments is Cardinal’s ninth supportive housing project in Milwaukee County. Each project is unique, created in partnership with city, county, state officials as well as community partners like Journey House, and local and national financial partners. We are blessed to work with such talented and mission driven people. In addition to all these organizations, we thank Milwaukee Continuum of Care, a group that has done so much to keep focus on those most in need,” said Erich Schwenker, president of Cardinal Capital Management.
The development will provide a set aside for youth who have turned 18 and aged out of the foster care system. Clarke Square Apartments will have a mix of 20 one-bedroom units, 14 two-bedroom units, and six three-bedroom units. In addition, there will be surface and underground parking. According to Journey House CEO Dr. Michele Bria, “This high quality, affordable housing is an investment in a continued focus on increasing the quality of life in Clarke Square Neighborhood and a welcome addition to our great neighborhood where children and families can play, learn, shop, worship, and live. We are grateful to all the partners who came together to make this happen.”
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The $8.5 million development received financing from Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, Associated Bank, Boston Capital, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago and the City of Milwaukee Home Funds.
The architects are Dimension IV Madison Design Group. Cardinal Capital Management is the General Contractor. The project is expected to be complete in early 2020.
About Cardinal Capital Management, Inc.
Cardinal Capital Management, Inc. is a social impact development company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and responsible for approximately 10,000 units of housing across the United States, predominantly in the Midwest. Cardinal is driven by the idea that communities function better when underserved needs are met with dignity and grace. Cardinal has built well-received housing with amenities and supportive services that benefit persons who are Deaf and hard-of-hearing, persons with changing vision, families and individuals who are homeless, persons recovering from mental illness, and veterans. Cardinal’s products have significantly improved the lives of residents and community members, and the team looks forward to future projects that will continue their mission to deliver meaningful impact. For more information about Cardinal Capital Management, visit www.cardinalcapital.us.
About Journey House
Celebrating its 50th Anniversary, Journey House has helped over 100,000 children and families move out of poverty through adult education, workforce readiness, youth development, and community engagement. Located in the Clarke Square Neighborhood on Milwaukee’s near south side, Journey House manages 28 acres of urban park land and has generated over $24 million in economic development projects to include a new Journey House Center, Journey House Packers Football Stadium with investment from LISC NFL Grassroots in Milwaukee County Mitchell Park, Journey House Felix Mantilla Little League Fields in Baran Park, and Campus Housing projects to provide affordable housing to homeless youth aging out of the foster care system. For more information about Journey House, visit www.journeyhouse.org.

author: Cardinal Capital Management, Inc


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Clarke Square Apts Groundbreaking Invitation.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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May 2, 2019

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NNS reporter Edgar Mendez goes live on WGLB 1560AM | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
May 2, 2019
Vehicle pursuits in Milwaukee last year increased by 155 percent. (Photo by Edgar Mendez)
NNS reporter Edgar Mendez joined WGLB-AM 1560’s “Morning Mix” to talk about the impact of changes to the Milwaukee Police Department’s chase policy. Last year, police chases nearly tripled with accidents occurring in more than a quarter of chases. But, what’s worse, chasing or not chasing?
They also discussed the District Attorney’s investigation into the Milwaukee Health Department’s Lead Abatement Program, and specifically, whether former commissioner Bevan Baker was being scapegoated for the dysfunction that occurred.
The Morning Mix airs Mondays and Fridays starting at 8 a.m.
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author: Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 2, 2019


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‘Returning from the twilight zone’: Home to Stay offers one-stop shop for those leaving prisons | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Allison Dikanovic
May 2, 2019
Wednesday’s first Home to Stay event connected individuals returning from incarceration with 16 employers and 30 resources. (Photo by Allison Dikanovic)
Ray Mendoza remembers coming home from prison in 2015 and being overwhelmed by the harsh adjustment.
He described the culture shock of re-entering society to “returning from the twilight zone” and said that four years later, it’s still something he’s learning how to navigate.
Mendoza said he could have benefitted from some guidance.
Now, he’s working to make sure that others have the kind of support he was looking for. He’s a “violence interrupter” on the city’s Office of Violence Prevention’s 414Life team. He also leads support groups for people transitioning home from prison through a program with the nonprofit Project Return. Most recently, he was part of a group that created Home to Stay.
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Home to Stay — also referred to as “First Wednesdays” because it will occur on the first Wednesday of each month — is a one-stop shop of sorts organized by the Milwaukee Community Justice Council and the state Department of Workforce Development for people trying to rebuild their lives in Milwaukee after serving time in prison.
“The biggest barrier that people don’t understand is the mental transitioning from the prison setting to free world setting,” he said. “It’s very, very difficult … to get used to being in an environment that’s not controlled movement like the prisons are.”
Ray Mendoza (left) says “the biggest barrier that people don’t understand is the mental transitioning from the prison setting to free world setting.” (Photo by Allison Dikanovic)
After spending 17 years in federal prison, Mendoza said he wasn’t used to having control over his own life and didn’t know where to begin.
“What do I do? Where do I go? Who do I talk to? And how do I get there?” he would ask, noting that basic tasks seemed daunting. “It’s a lot to take on …  It was almost two decades of me missing out on the upgrades of technology, the upgrades of how people live, the momentum of the streets.”
Home to Stay is essentially a resource fair with a plethora of re-entry services available on the spot to help people in housing, healthcare, driver’s license recovery, expungement, legal issues, child support, restorative justice support, literacy GED programs and employment opportunities.
Attending the fair can count as a required point of contact for individuals on supervision. The first event was held Wednesday, May 1 at Job Center Central, 4201 N. 27th St.
“A lot of times, people who come out don’t know where to go for resources,” said John Thomas, employment and training supervisor for the state Department of Workforce Development and organizer of the event. “A lot of agencies are doing this work in silos, not necessarily sharing information.”
Home to Stay is a collaboration among community-based organizations and private employers, as well as local, federal and state agencies.
Though none of the services at the fair is new per se, the purpose of Home to Stay is to consistently bring together a wide array of resources in one easy-to- access place, at the same time every month, Thomas said.
Mendoza agreed that congregating services will make an important difference.
“To go from a halfway house or wherever they’re staying to go to all these different places where the resources are costs money and takes time,” Mendoza said. “For example, I could have to deal with housing on the Northeast Side, and I might need to take care of my child support on the Northwest Side, and maybe I need to renew my driver’s license on the South Side, and what if I don’t have a car? It can be really hard to navigate all of that.”
Wednesday’s Home to Stay event included about 30 organizations and 16 employers interested in hiring attendees. Many had job applications available.
Demetrius Johnson (right) shares information with attendees about how to get into the construction and manufacturing industries. (Photo by Allison Dikanovic)
“Finding employment that pays you enough to pay your rent, pay your bills and help you put some dollars in your savings account once in a while is a necessity,” Mendoza said. “Otherwise it’s easier for someone to return to an old lifestyle that got them in prison.”
Stevie Thompson said he attended the fair because he’s looking for a career.
“I thought I would be able to learn about one or two jobs by coming here,” he said. “But I’ve already applied to five or six.”
Demetrius Johnson, a program assistant for Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership Big Step, had a table at the fair that offered resources for individuals interested in the construction and manufacturing sectors. He said things like the need for proper documentation or a GED can present additional challenges to people transitioning home from prison to find employment, and his organization is one of several that works to help people get those things and get to work.
Thomas said Home to Stay is part of a broader initiative to decrease recidivism in Milwaukee. State Department of Corrections data shows that the first several months post-release are critical to a person’s chances at a successful transition home, as the highest number of reoffenses occur within the first three months after leaving prison.
“I hope at least one or two people get the help they need to achieve their goals—whatever they are—to be a little bit more successful in life,” Mendoza said. “This isn’t going to end all difficulties, but it’s something.”
The next Home to Stay event will be held from  The location has not been announced.
If you or someone you know is returning home from prison and looking for support, these are some of the organizations that were at the first Home to Stay event:

author: Allison Dikanovic


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5 things to do this weekend: May 3 to May 5 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
May 3, 2019
Visitors are invited to enjoy a Japanese garden, which is housed in the Show Dome. (Photo by Ana Martinez-Ortiz)
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some events we think you shouldn’t miss this weekend. 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. Mitchell Park Japanese Zen Garden Show:  May 3-5
The Mitchell Park Dome invites visitors to relax in its current Show Dome exhibition. The Japanese Zen Garden Show features a variety of Japanese plants, including cherry blossoms, and Japanese sculptures. Entry into the Show Dome is included with general admission. Tickets cost $8 for adults and $6 for juniors. Children under 5 are free and Milwaukee residents receive a discounted rate.
2. Neu-Life art show luncheon: May 4
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Neu-Life Community Development is hosting its annual art show at its headquarters, 2014 W. North Ave. The theme this year is dreams. The art featured was created by the children and young adults involved in Neu-Life. Proceeds from the event go directly to the Neu-Life program, which engages Milwaukee’s youth through art, urban agriculture, educational classes, work opportunities and more. Ticket and sponsorship opportunities can be found here.
3. Pilates in the park: May 5
Anointed Hands Massage Therapy is hosting a free Pilates class in Dineen Park, 6901 W. Vienna Ave. The class starts at noon and all levels are welcome. Those interested are asked to bring their own mat, water bottle and towel.
4. Shindig Coffee Presents: Sunday Vibes with Two Tones: May 5
Shindig Coffee, 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave. is hosting a musical performance by Two Tones. The event begins at 2 p.m. Shindig’s first Sunday Vibes show is free.
5. The role of art in economic development: May 5
The 30th Street Corridor, the Wisconsin Black Historical Society and Kho-Thi Dance Company are hosting a panel discussion at the Wisconsin Black Historical Society, 2620 W. Center St. The free event starts at 4 p.m. Attendees can register here
Bonus: Black author pop-up book fair: May 3
Coffee Makes You Black is hosting its first ever pop-up book fair. There will be a variety of books by local black authors for sale, live music and prizes. The pop-up will take place at Coffee Makes You Black, 2803 N. Teutonia Ave., from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. For more information and to register for the free event, visit eventbrite.

author: Ana Martinez-Ortiz


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Meet the best mothers in Milwaukee | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Andrea Waxman
May 3, 2019
(From left) Tsuchi, May Yer and CyaSha Thao celebrate at home in summer 2018. (Photo courtesy of May Yer Thao)
Do NOT forget your mother on Mother’s Day! It’s coming up on Sunday, May 12.
To help get in the spirit of the holiday that celebrates the women who brought us into the world — or who took on the mother role — we asked several young people, ages 9 to 27, what their mothers mean to them.
Here’s what they said:
‘
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Venice Williams (left) and her daughter Sojourner White listen to a speaker in Alice’s Garden. (Photo by Cheri Johnson)
age 24, has seven “actual siblings.” But, she said, “every time I see new people or when I go home now, there’s somebody else calling (my mother, ) ‘Mom.’
“I think it took a long time for me to figure out that she’s the community mother,” said White about Williams, the executive director of Alice’s Garden.
White especially admires the way her mom can reach people who society has “labeled unreachable or not worth it.” Williams approaches everyone equally, regardless of race or background, said White. “I think that has manifested in Alice’s Garden — the diversity that’s there is the product of how she’s able to connect with people and build them up,” said White.
Williams is also “super fun,” according to her daughter. “She has this balance where she can go from ‘mom-in-charge’ mode to ‘mom-just-hanging-out’ mode,” and that makes for a great relationship — a deep comfort with each other.
twin sons and M, age 15, admire their mother for her strength and kindness. Matthew described her as “outgoing, respectful, talkative, a loving person and independent.”
His mom, the founder of Urban Underground, pushes him to do things he doesn’t want to do but knows will help him find opportunities in life, he said. “She thinks more outside the box and into the future than I do.”
Malachi said he looks up to his mom because of how determined and hard- working she is. She had to work very hard to make a living after emigrating from Jamaica, where she was born and raised.
“She taught me how to be patient, how to show kindness, empathy and sympathy for others …  and that it’s better to give than to receive,” said Malachi, adding,  “I love her strongly even though we have our ups and downs.”
, age 9, and his sister CyaSha, age 11, also spoke of their appreciation for their mother’s kindness.  is the executive director of the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce.
A third grader at Maple Dale School, Tsuchi said he likes to spend time with his mom at the park.
CyaSha, who is in fifth grade at the same school, said what makes her mom special is that “she’s that big, special, cheerful one that stands out from the whole group of moms.”
(From left) Older son Jose Zaragoza; mom Tammy Rivera; and younger son Juan Carlos Zaragoza celebrate Tammy’s birthday at Antigua restaurant on April 26. (Photo courtesy of Tammy Rivera)
“She is the best mother I could ever have. She comforts me when I’m sad or if someone hurts me.”
For ., 27, his mother, , instilled in him and his older brother , 33, a desire to sacrifice themselves for others through her “dedication to progress for people in the hardest situations.”
Rivera, the Southside Organizing Center’s executive director, is driven by her faith, Zaragoza said.  “Her heart is broken most for people who have no defender.”
Zaragoza, the youth programming manager at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission and the youth pastor at Root River Church in Franklin, said his mother is a superhero.
“She loves us with all of her heart and goes above and beyond in every way to make sure that we feel that.”
Melody McCurtis (front) and her mother, Danell Cross, put on formalwear for the 2018 Urban League’s Black & White Ball. (Photo courtesy of Melody McCurtis)
said she aspires to be like her mother,
McCurtis, 25, works for her mother as an organizer at Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, a neighborhood association where Cross is the executive director.
Having overcome depression and raised six children on her own, Cross has impressed her daughter with her strength and intelligence. “She is a genius,” McCurtis said.
“I’m lucky to have a mother like her. I went on a journey when I was 22 to understand my mom and how she grew up and why she’s the way she is. And I think that she’s truly extraordinary to overcome all the things that she’s overcome and still go out every day and tackle life.”
A Mother’s Day tradition for some includes taking mom out for brunch. Here are some local eateries offering Mother’s Day brunches or specials this year — reservations are highly recommended:
2Mesa Mexican Eatery
4110 W. Martin Drive
(414) 808-1594
From 11 a.m.
Regular menu plus Mother’s Day specials
Birch and Butcher
459 E. Pleasant St.
(414) 323-7372
9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Three-course Mother’s Day brunch starting at $26
The Fitz
2308 W. Wisconsin Ave. (in the Ambassador Hotel)
(414) 345-5015
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
$45 adults ($15 for children 12 and under)
Mother’s Day Brunch buffet
Heavenly Grille
831 S. Cesar E. Chavez Drive
(414) 559-6214
From noon
Soul food with Mother’s Day specials
Old Town Serbian Gourmet Restaurant
522 W. Lincoln Ave.
414-672-0206
From 11 a.m.
Serbian menu with special Mother’s Day entrees and desserts
Orenda Cafe
3514 W National Ave.
(414) 212-8573
6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Regular menu and a free mimosa or glass of wine for mothers
Sabrosa
3216 S. Howell Ave.
(312) 834-1929
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Mother’s Day brunch buffet
$28 ($10 for children 10 and younger)

author: Andrea Waxman


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46976775204_10332f5af1_k | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 3, 2019


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Taco truck issue on West National Avenue still unsettled, group says | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
May 3, 2019
Francisco Santos, owner of Taqueria Arandas, says he’s lost business since moving to his new location on S. 22nd Street and West Greenfield Avenue. (Photo by Edgar Mendez)
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with a comment from the Milwaukee Police Department.
The last-minute deal between Arandas taco truck owner Francisco Santos and Ald. Bob Donovan — which came after a proposal from the alderman to ban food trucks along a stretch of West National Avenue was vetoed by Mayor Tom Barrett in March — has failed. And his supporters are looking for another resolution.
“It was a bad deal that he was pressured to agree to without legal representation,” said Julio Guerrero, one of the organizers of a rally scheduled in the business owner’s support on Friday, May 3, at Velobahn Coffee, 3618 W. Pierce St. from 5-8 p.m.
According to Santos, he agreed to a low-cost lease for a vacant lot at 3528 W. National Ave., but only after pressure from Donovan’s office.
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“They gave me a contract the day before and I asked for time to review it. I kept getting calls the next day and was being told that I didn’t want to cooperate so I signed it. I didn’t want any problems,” Santos said.
He said he didn’t have enough time to survey the lot, which is situated on a hill and unsuitable for the truck. Santos also said that the lot, which is situated between two buildings in an area that is in the process of being redeveloped,  is not well lit, which was a safety concern for the business and customers.
“I tried it for a few days and it wasn’t working, so I went back to my spot on West National,” he said.
After operating there for about 10 days, he said, police showed up and even stepped inside of his truck on April 5, although Santos wasn’t there at the time.
Officers told his employees they’d been getting complaints and that they were going to be making sure that the taco truck was moving from the parking spot every two hours, which was one of the original reasons Donovan gave for introducing the ban. By the time Santos arrived, the police were gone, but a traffic enforcement officer was marking the tires, a practice commonly used to monitor whether a vehicle is abiding by parking regulations.
The Milwaukee Police Department stated in an email to NNS that, because of past complaints, its License Investigation Unit made contact with Arandas and other food truck operators to discuss concerns from citizens and provide information about the safe operation of food trucks.
According to Patricia Doherty, long-time aide to Donovan, complaints about the truck started coming in soon after he started operating at his old location on West National. But, Donovan’s office had not reached out to any city department for enforcement since the council vote in March, although it did forward a complaint to several members of Barrett’s staff.
Santos is not prohibited from doing business on National Avenue, but is mandated by municipal ordinance to move his truck every two hours, which he said he had done since returning. After the incident involving MPD, and fearing more of what he felt was harassment, Santos moved his truck again to its current location on S. 22nd Street and West Greenfield, and has lost business.
“I’m not making money there. I’ve been struggling since the whole situation began,” Santos said.
The rally on Friday is to call attention to how the agreement was brokered, the alleged poor treatment of Santos by the City of Milwaukee, and how he has been hurt financially by the deal, according to Andrea Rodriguez, a member of Milwaukee’s Safety and Civic Commission and one of the rally organizers.
The group is also hoping to draw attention to larger issues such as the lack of an equitable permit policy for mobile food vendors and the lack of transparency on the process Donovan used to introduce a ban to the Common Council in the first place, Rodriguez said.
“He should have done a traffic survey and gone door-to-door and talked to people instead of just resorting to bullying tactics in seeking a ban. It’s an abuse of power,” she said.
According to Celia Benton, economic development director for Layton Boulevard West Neighbors, her organization was brought in at the last minute to help mediate the deal between Donovan and Santos, and also brought in Ryan Pattee, the owner of the parcel of land on West National Ave. The agreement they helped facilitate was only meant as a temporary solution until a sustainable plan was created.
“We didn’t want there to be a ban. We’re trying to make sure that everyone has a fair playing field and equitable access to business development in the area,” Benton said.
Benton said that her organization has been working to ensure that businesses along National Avenue and elsewhere in the neighborhood understand signage, city codes and other compliance measures that impact businesses, residents and others.
In the case of Santos, Benton said, none of the business owners she said she’d spoken to on West National wanted the taco truck to leave.
Doherty said in an email to NNS that the only thing Santos had to do was follow the parking regulations. If a vendor feels that the parking rules are unfair, they would need to propose a change to the council, which she believes would result in even stricter regulations for vendors, she wrote.
“[Common Council members] all work very hard to encourage small businesses to move into their districts and food vendors who can’t respectfully follow the parking rules and play fair when it comes to customer parking are not going to be viewed very favorably,” she added.
Rodriguez and Guerrero met with Barrett on May 2, to try to discuss a policy solution. One of the possibilities they discussed is adding a few lines to the existing ordinance to allow food truck vendors to park in one spot for more than two hours as long as they had support from residents and businesses in the area, Rodriguez said. She said that they were also working with the Southside Organizing Committee to get permission to operate long-term at Santos’ new location on West Greenfield Avenue.
Ultimately, according to Guerrero, the goal is to help prevent future situations like the one involving Santos.
“We’re looking for a collaborative solution and to help prevent business owners like Santos from getting pushed around,” Guerrero said.
As for Santos, all he wants to do is sell tacos.
“I just want to keep working, that’s all,” he said.

author: Edgar Mendez


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40798785123_5faeee8394_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 3, 2019


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You’re Invited: Spring Wellness Fair May 11 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Community Advocates
May 3, 2019
Boost your health and happiness at our Spring Wellness Fair! This free, family-friendly event offers demonstrations, resources, free food at lunchtime, games, raffles, and prizes to celebrate May as Mental Health Month.
Stop by Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Community Advocates Training Center, 6900 W. Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee. Brought to you by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division.
9 – 9:45: Yoga with Denna Haslett, Grounded Soul Yoga
10 – 10:45: Mindfulness with Ambrose WB, MISPIBO Fitness
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11 – 11:45: Basketball Shootaround with Cream Skills Basketball Association
11:30 – 1: Lunch
12:15 – 12:45: Line Dancing with Mind Body Soul Urban Line Dancers
1 – 1:45: Lyric/Poetry Workshop with Joshua Jenkins
2 – 2:45: Martial Arts with Frederick Coleman, Studio69
Plus:
Aurora Family Service | Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin | Diverse & Resilient | MHS Wisconsin | Milwaukee County Energy Assistance | Milwaukee Fire Department | Milwaukee Recreation | Milwaukee Women’s Center | Peace of Heart | Social Development Commission | More to come…
Register now to let us know you’re coming!

author: Community Advocates


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spring wellness fair flyer final.png | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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May 3, 2019


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5 things you need to know this week in Milwaukee: May 6 to May 11 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Elyse McFeggan
May 6, 2019
The Milwaukee Youth Council will take part in Shadow Day at City Hall this week. (Photo courtesy of City of Milwaukee)
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some events that can enrich your week. 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 Fridays
Celebrate with the Milwaukee Public Library. The Washington Park branch, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd., will host “End stigma together,” where residents can explore the most effective ways to combat stigmas attached to mental illness. That event takes place ,   The Capitol branch, 3969 N. 74th St., will host “Overcoming the destructive effects of stress and anxiety,” with author, speaker and researcher Tony Piparo, from . For more information on any of these events and more, visit here.
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Milwaukee Youth Council members  Common Council members during a meeting at in the Common Council Chamber, 3rd Floor, City Hall, 200 E. Wells St.
The Milwaukee Public school board will hold two meetings this week. At , there will be a
meeting in the auditorium of the Central Services Building, 5225 W. Vliet St. There will be reports with possible action on the Northwest Region Showcase and on progress in fulfilling equity goals. At  there will be a meeting of the . This meeting will provide informational overviews and a public hearing on the .
Journey House, International Institute of Wisconsin and Marquette University are hosting “Refugee resettlement in Milwaukee,” an event to share results and action plans with the community. The event is from  at Journey House, 2110 W. Scott St. It is free to attend and coffee will be provided. Survey participants and refugees are encouraged to attend and share input. For more information and to register, visit the event website.
Don’t forget Mother’s Day on Sunday. For a list of places to take the special woman in your life and to meet some of Milwaukee’s most inspiring moms, read this. (Photo courtesy of May Yer Thao)
Remember your mother, Sunday, May 12! For all she did, does and will do in the future, Forgot to make reservations? Check out this fun story about Milwaukee mothers, (and stay for the list of Mother’s Day brunches around the city).
The Mitchell Street branch of the Milwaukee Public Library, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St., will host There will be an unveiling of an artist bookshelf, free food, art projects and much more.

author: Elyse McFeggan


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 5, 2019


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Approximately 150 MATC students showcase creative skills at May 9 portfolio night | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Area Technical College
May 6, 2019
Milwaukee Area Technical College will hold its annual “Portfolio Night,” which showcases career-centered portfolios of MATC students’ creative work, Thursday, May 9, at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus in the Main Building, 1015 N. 6St.
Members of industry are invited to review a showcase of portfolios and career-ready skills of approximately 150 students from 11 MATC associate degree programs from 4:30-6 p.m. The general public is invited to view the portfolios from 6-8 p.m. The exhibit is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by MATC’s School of Media and Creative Arts.
The music occupations and audio production students will exhibit in the School of Media and Creative Arts Galley behind the Sixth Street Café on the first floor; all other programs will be on display in M605.
The following programs will be represented:
Visitor parking vouchers will be available for $2 in the parking structure at North 8 and West State Streets.
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For more information, call (414) 297-7492, or write grosses@matc.edu.

author: Milwaukee Area Technical College


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BBB Warning: Businesses, don’t fall for that scam | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Wisconsin Better Business Bureau
May 6, 2019
Scams are a significant and growing problem for small businesses. One of the best ways that small businesses can protect themselves from scams is to stay informed about the common scams circulating and the different techniques used by scammers, and to report them.
One of the most common scams targeting businesses currently that BBB Serving Wisconsin has seen an increase of, is the business email compromise (“BEC”). Also referred to as the payment redirection scam, these are financial scams using the guise of authority to steal money.
We have seen this most recently with the utility scam (callers posing as a local utility company that threaten to turn off power and demand payment) and parish churches (imposters pose as vendors convince a work executive in the finance or accounting department via email to wire transfer money).“These scams are horrific and can devastate any business,” says Jim Temmer, BBB Serving Wisconsin CEO/president. “What we’ve been seeing is that companies of all sizes are targets, along with increasingly more victims and very large money losses. We all need to help spread the word to business owners and management teams to lessen the chance of more victims falling for these.”
Business Email Compromise (“BEC”). Company personnel with payment authority receive an email that impersonates the CEO or an outside business, asking for payment or noting the necessity to transfer money. Scammers trick the unsuspecting employees and executives and persuade them to wire large amounts of money.
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Check a company on bbb.org.  If you feel you have been scammed, file a complaint and report the scam to BBB’s Scam Tracker. Let others in your industry know of the scheme you’ve come across.
For an online version click here

author: Wisconsin Better Business Bureau


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Bucks-Celtics Twitter flame war turns into Neighborhood House of Milwaukee winning Celtics Fans’ support! | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Neighborhood House of Milwaukee
May 6, 2019
Imagine the surprise at Neighborhood House of Milwaukee when dozens and dozens of gifts came pouring in from complete strangers!
In tracking this phenomenon down, it turns out this largess is due to Celtics Fans! In the run up to tonight’s NBA play-off game, a Twitter flame war erupted between Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics fans. As things were getting ugly, one Celtics fan asked all involved to raise the discourse by doing some good.
This Celtics fan, @SteveMerkle9 wrote, “We could spend the next week going back and forth over who has the worst fans, or we could turn this into a positive, here is a link to a charity that does great work in the milwaukee area, please donate whatever you can. Retweet and post your donations.” (link: https://www.neighborhoodhousemke.org/donate/) neighborhoodhousemke.org/donate/”
Fellow Celtics fans responded in force, many of whom sent Merkle screen shots of their donation receipts. One tweet said, “This is beautiful & amazing… & this should be a thing we try and do with every playoff opponent we face…”
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“At first we were a little confused and thought it might be a scam of some sort. But we soon found out what this Celtics fan did for us and his peers rose to his challenge. It’s been a wonderful day for the 3,500 children and families we serve,” emphasized Neighborhood House Executive Director, Jeff Martinka. “We are very grateful to this challenge and @SteveMerkle9. We have no idea how he selected Neighborhood House, but he personifies what we work to instill in the children we serve. Good character, doing good for others, and great sportsmanship; qualities that make us good and productive citizens. We just hope we can thank him properly for what he’s inspired.”
More than $1,000 was raised in just over six hours.

author: Neighborhood House of Milwaukee


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City of Milwaukee launching 2019 Project Clean & Green | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Alderman Nik Kovac
May 6, 2019
The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works annual Project Clean & Green (PCG) will run from May 6 to June 24, 2019 with all residents assigned to one of seven “zones.” Normally, residents are charged $50 – $150 for all bulky item pick-up requests larger than one (1) cubic yard (about the size of an easy chair). However, on a resident’s PCG collection day, DPW crews will pick up unwanted household items at no charge. PCG consists of three-steps: find your zone, clean it up and set it out.
The 3rd Aldermanic District is located almost entirely in PCG Zone 4 (May 28 to June 3). Please see the attached map for details.
Find Your Zone
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Residents can go to milwaukee.gov/CleanandGreen to find their specific PCG collection date (which will be their regular garbage collection day during their designated Project Clean & Green zone week).
Clean It Up
Gather acceptable materials from your home, garage and yard. Acceptable items include broken furniture, mattresses, unusable household items, tires, grass clippings, tree trimmings and mixed yard waste. This is the only time the City collects tires and yard waste other than the fall leaf collection and the April – November seasonal brush collection.
Set It Out
By 7 AM on their PCG pickup day, residents should place their unwanted items, up to two (2) cubic yards of tree trimmings and leaves, yard and garden waste, and up to five (5) tires at their regular garbage collection point – either the curb or alley line. Yard waste and tires are each handled separately from general household debris and must be separated.  In most cases, everything will be picked up on garbage collection day, but allow through the following business day for all items to be collected by crews.
Residents can use brown paper yard waste bags available at area stores for their yard waste, or they can place it in piles at their collection point. However, grass clippings must be placed in a brown paper yard waste bag – do not place loose grass clippings in a pile or in your garbage/recycling carts for pick-up. DPW advises letting grass clippings lay on your lawn.
For curb pick-up, please ensure that all items, including brush and leaves, are kept out of the street and instead placed along the area between the sidewalk and curb, on the lawn edge if there is no sidewalk, or at the end of the driveway. For alley collection, place items at the alley line.
Not accepted
During PCG, DPW will not pick up appliances, TVs and other electronics (such as computers, printers, scanners, tablets, etc.), construction debris, paint and paint thinner, motor oil, and other hazardous waste. We encourage making use of DPW Drop Off Centers or MMSD to properly dispose of those items.
For more information on Project Clean and Green, go to milwaukee.gov/CleanandGreen or call 286-CITY (2489).

author: Alderman Nik Kovac


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Mayor Barrett: Secure our neighborhoods, fix our streets, and enough with your damned streetcar | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ald. Bob Donovan
May 6, 2019
To our friends and neighbors throughout Milwaukee who will never know a moment’s benefit from the Milwaukee Streetcar, please know that we hear you and share your frustration with an administration that has chosen to ignore you.
We have heard you as you drove over streets left unmaintained and riddled with potholes even though the streets beneath Mayor Barrett’s Folly seem peculiarly well paved and plowed.
We have heard you as you wondered how a City with a budget of over a billion dollars could not find enough money to fund the repaving of even one alley in 2019 — not even one — but could conjure resources sufficient to lay track onto the very same streets from which trolleys were taken a generation ago.
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We have shared your ever-growing concern as our police department has been starved of resources, deprived of police officers, and prevented from stemming what we all know to be a growing problem of fear, crime, and disorder throughout the City.
We have seen, as you have seen, fire stations “browned out”, libraries close ever earlier, and street lamps go out for want of staff; all while “The Hop” clanks half-empty through the darkness.
And now the Mayor wants to expand a system that is not complete, that he cannot prove anyone rides, and that no one but him seems to want to pay for.
Not one expansion, not two, but three. What madness is this?
More to the point, what do any of us that care for the well-being of the City have left but our obligation to resist?
Knowing the certainty of opposition to this proposal, the Mayor is doing everything in his power to push this expansion through the Common Council as quickly as is possible.
You cannot let him.
Note we said you cannot let him. Our voices and our votes have been and will remain set against this absurdity. The other members of the Common Council — our colleagues — must know you agree with us.
Call them, write them, e-mail them (their phone and email information is listed below). If you have never contacted your council member before, do so now. If you have contacted him or her before, do it again.
This is where the Milwaukee Streetcar must stop. To be direct, only you can make that so. And we will stand with you.

author: Ald. Bob Donovan


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MKE Urban Stables set to make history | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sue Vliet
May 6, 2019
A groundbreaking took place Tuesday, April 30 for the MKE Urban Stables. Organizers say it will be the first facility in the nation to combine mounted patrol, equine-assisted therapy and community engagement programs.
The $5.65 million project at 143 E. Lincoln Ave. is expected to open in January 2020 and will serve as the new home for the Milwaukee Police Department’s Mounted Patrol Unit.
Veterans and special needs students from MPS will be able to groom and walk the horses. Hamilton High School’s Color Guard was one of the highlights of the ceremony.
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author: Sue Vliet


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New deadlines announced for MATC Promise, which provides free tuition for eligible students | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Area Technical College
May 6, 2019
Carissa Peters, 27, is an adult Promise student at MATC. She is grateful for the program, which provides free tuition. Before she was accepted, she “had to work and go to school, which was tough because my classes were so demanding.” (Photo by Edgar Mendez)
Last spring, Milwaukee Area Technical College was one of the first colleges in the nation to launch a Promise program for adult students. On May 17, 2018, the college kicked off the MATC Promise for Adults, offering free tuition for eligible students to finish their associate degrees at MATC.
Deadlines for applying for next fall’s MATC Promise for Adults have just been announced. The priority deadline for applications is Friday, June 28, 2019. Students who apply by that date will be the first to be contacted about their status. The final application deadline is Friday, July 26, 2019.
“Cost is an immense barrier standing between students and their dreams – and we are breaking it down with free tuition,” said Dr. Vicki J. Martin, MATC president. “The MATC Promise is unlocking the doors of college so that everyone can connect to an in-demand, high-wage career and build the workforce this community needs.
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“The MATC Promise for Adults generated a tremendous amount of interest last year,” she said. “We are excited to offer the program for additional students for the next academic year.”
Nearly 3,330 potential students expressed interest in the MATC Promise for Adults for 2018-19, with approximately 1,000 of those students enrolling,  including 689 who met all qualifications. MATC works with applicants who do not meet criteria to find a way to make college a reality.
The MATC Promise for Adults covers tuition costs after scholarships and grants for up to 75 credits for eligible individuals. Students must:
•Be 24 years or older and live in the MATC district
•Have an annual family income of $56,000 or less (based on federal student aid application)
•Have earned at least six college credits but have not earned an associate or bachelor’s degree
•Have been out of college for at least two years
In 2015, MATC was the first college in Wisconsin to offer a Promise program for direct-from-high school students. Since inception, 514 qualified students enrolled at the college through the MATC Promise for New High School Graduates. The newly-announced application deadline for the high school class of 2020 is February 1, 2020.
MATC has enrolled more than 1,200 qualified students through the two MATC Promise programs. They have cumulatively earned approximately 20,000 college credits.
Funded through an innovative public-private partnership, 230 donors have given more than $2 million to the MATC Foundation Inc. in support of the Promise programs. The private gifts fill the gap between what financial aid covers for students and the cost of tuition.
MATC’s Promise programs received two Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDI) in April. Sponsored by U.S. Bank in partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Milwaukee, the awards celebrate successful efforts to strengthen the community and revitalize neighborhoods. The MATC Promise won the Associated Bank Trail Blazer Award for an innovative approach to a community problem and a Wells Fargo People’s Choice Award based on votes from the public.
Students interested in applying for either MATC Promise program should call (414) 297-6668, email matcpromise@matc.edu or visit matc.edu/promise.


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Responding to the threat of violent recidivism: Alternatives to long-term confinement | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Marquette Law School
May 6, 2019
Conference Hosted by Marquette University Law School
With Support from the Charles Koch Foundation
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
June 3-4, 2019
In state prisons across the United States, a large majority of the inmates have been convicted of violent crimes. Violence-convicted individuals tend to provoke high levels of public fear. Lawmakers, judges, and prosecutors must be especially attuned to the threat that a person who has once perpetrated criminal violence will reoffend. At the same time, a considerable body of research now suggests that long prison terms are not always the most effective means of addressing recidivism risk.
Join us at Marquette Law School on June 3-4, 2019, to consider what evidence shows about risk assessment, treatment, and sentencing and supervision options for violence-convicted individuals. Leading social scientists and legal scholars from across the nation will share their research, illuminating the challenge posed by violent recidivism and the difficult choices that lawmakers, judges, and prosecutors must make.
Dates and Times: Monday, June 3, 2019 | 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Dinner for Conference Participants at 6:30 p.m.)
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Tuesday, June 4, 2019 | 8:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Lubar Center at Eckstein Hall, Marquette Law School
1215 West Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Limited parking available onsite.
Registration: There is no registration fee. However, please take immediate action to register and hold a seat.
RSVP using this link: RESPONDING TO THE THREAT OF VIOLENT RECIDIVISM
Deadline for Registration: 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2019
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS, Monday, June 3, 2019
Panel Discussion—Prisoner Reentry, Revocation, and Recidivism
Pamela Oliver (Wisconsin), Christy Visher & Daniel O’Connell (Delaware, William Bales & Jennifer Copp (Florida State)
Panel Discussion—Assessing and Managing Risk
Sarah Desmarais (North Carolina State), Faye Taxman (George Mason), Edward Latessa & Myrinda Schweitzer (Cincinnati)
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS, Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Panel Discussion— Groups of Special Concern: Young People and High-Risk Offenders
Laura Abrams (UCLA), Megan Kurlychek (Albany), Jennifer Skeem (Berkeley)
Panel Discussion—Sexual Violence, Robbery, Focused Deterrence
Eric Janus (William Mitchell-Hamline), Richard Wright & William Sabol (Georgia State), Edmund McGarrell (Michigan State
Panel Discussion— Violent Crime—Immigration, Public Opinion, Social and Legal Construction
Michael Light (Wisconsin), Darren Wheelock & Michael O’Hear (Marquette), Cecelia Klingele (Wisconsin)
QUESTIONS? Contact Rita Aleman, program manager, Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education,
Marquette Law School at rita.aleman@marquette.edu or 414.288.5377.

author: Marquette Law School


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Summer camp scholarships and life-long leadership programs for Milwaukee youth | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
PEAK Initiative
May 6, 2019
The Kellogg PEAK Initiative (PEAK) strives to provide extraordinary life-enhancing experiences and a network of supportive peers and adults to young people from the city of Milwaukee.
PEAK is offering full-ride scholarships to Milwaukee youth to attend summer camp sessions both in Milwaukee and at our beautiful overnight camp in Western WI (Lake Valley Camp) this year. Those who enroll and attend in the summer of 2019 will automatically be eligible to attend camp at no cost year-after-year and will be connected to a lifetime of leadership experiences and a network of invested families and incredible youth development professionals.
PEAK prioritizes families with economic need and we register families for camp sessions on a first come-first-served basis. PEAK currently has the most camp openings for 7 – 10 year olds but we serve ages 7 – 18.
We look forward to seeing you and your child at camp this summer and for years to come!
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
Sincerely,
Dan Schiller, Executive Director & The PEAK team

author: PEAK Initiative


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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May 6, 2019


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‘We know we can do it better’: Milwaukee County leaders criticize state’s plan to replace Lincoln Hills | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Allison Dikanovic
May 6, 2019
Milwaukee County leaders say “policy and fiscal realities are at odds with each other” when it comes to replacing the state’s two youth prisons. (Photo courtesy of Department of Corrections)
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the figure for what the state Juvenile Corrections Grant Committee has allotted for county grants.
Representatives from Milwaukee County raised concerns with the state’s plan to close Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake youth prisons during a meeting Monday in Madison.
Mary Jo Meyers, director of the county Department of Health and Human Services, and Mark Mertens, administrator for the Division of Youth and Family Services, said that the current legislation—a bill called Act 185—is not going to yield the best outcomes for Milwaukee’s young people or public safety because it is too similar to the youth prison model, and it is not adequately funded.
“Our fear would be that we’re going to spend a lot of money for a facility that will not necessarily get us better outcomes or the outcomes we desire,” Meyers said at the Juvenile Corrections Grant Committee meeting.  “We know we can do it better than what exists, but we want to do better than that and embrace the best practices that other places have done.”
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Act 185 calls for Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake to be closed by 2021 and mandates that the youth prisons be replaced with state-run facilities for those deemed serious juvenile offenders and smaller, regional county-run centers for youth with less serious offenses. Last month, a court-ordered report showed that isolation tactics, pepper spray and strip searches were still being over-utilized at the youth prisons and that rooms were still not found to be “suicide-resistant.”
Gov. Tony Evers has proposed in his budget to increase state spending for Act 185 from $80 million to $274 million.
Critics—including Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele—say even with the potential added funding, the bill doesn’t go far enough. County leaders said that even if the staffing and programmatic concerns of Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake are addressed, building new large-scale secure facilities for youths in the justice system is not satisfactory.
Milwaukee County has released a visual rendering of its proposed facility to replace Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake youth prisons. (Image courtesy of Milwaukee County)
“Under the current act, we will replace two remote youth prisons with two regional youth prisons,” Mertens wrote in a prepared statement for the committee.
He continued to say that the “policy and fiscal realities are at odds with each other,” and that the proposed replacement facilities will be “unsustainable, and will fail to rehabilitate Wisconsin’s youth or advance public safety.”
Mertens and Meyers presented Milwaukee County’s $41.1 million plan to build a secure facility as a replacement to the youth prisons. As it stands, the committee only has $40 million allotted for county grants.
“We wanted the committee to see that we clearly did our homework… and to be fully informed what it is we’re getting into so we can have less money going into bricks and mortar and more money going into prevention and community-based care,” Meyers said.
Meyers said Act 185 is too restrictive for what kinds of facilities and programs counties can create to replace the youth prisons.
“All those things are so costly,” she said. “If we could put that money in our network of community services such as mentoring and programming for families and youth that would allow us to do better treatment, then we are almost guaranteed to have better outcomes costing less money.”
In addition to their concerns, Meyers and Mertens also presented the committee with alternative models they said they would rather implement in Milwaukee, such as investing in small, homelike residences for youth, restorative justice and community-based programs in the neighborhoods where youth live. They specifically mentioned New York City’s Close to Home model, and said that it has been effective in reducing recidivism.
County leaders are echoing concerns that advocacy group Youth Justice Milwaukee has been voicing since 2016.
“That’s what we’ve been saying for years,” said Sharlen Moore, co-founder of Youth Justice Milwaukee and member of the state Juvenile Corrections Grant Committee. “The county is aligned with what we want, and I couldn’t have been more proud.”
Rep. David Crowley of Milwaukee, a Democrat who serves on the grant committee that is reviewing county proposals, said the committee lacks the authority to change Act 185. He said that changing the plan to replace Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake would need to go through the state legislature.
“The kinds of alternatives Milwaukee County suggested are things a lot of us on the committee can envision, but the question is, can we do it under the current legislation?” Crowley said.
“If we can make that possible, it’s something that I can definitely support, but I don’t think we can,” he said. “We know that the crime rate is going down… if we want to talk about real Wisconsin Model, we need to be investing in alternatives.”


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 6, 2019

author: Adam Carr


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LINCOLNHILLS | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 6, 2019


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OPINION: How to keep your mom (and all the women you love) alive and healthy | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dr. Michelle Graham, UnitedHealthcare of Wisconsin
May 8, 2019
National Women’s Health Week takes place from May 12 to May 18. (Photo courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Editor’s note: Got something on your mind? “Community Voices” is the place to let Milwaukee hear what you have to say. To be considered, we need your name, email address and phone number for verification. Please email your submissions to info@milwaukeenns.org.
Mother’s Day is part of the springtime cycle of renewal and rebirth.
It’s also an ideal time to think about ways to help improve the health of  women in Wisconsin and nationwide and honor the important role they play in their families’ well-being. Promoting the health of women, infants and children is a fundamental priority for our county, especially efforts to reduce the number of women and babies who die before, during or after childbirth.
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The U.S. infant and maternal mortality rates rank lower than those of many other developed nations, lagging behind countries such as Australia, Canada and even Lithuania. In Wisconsin 6.0 babies die (before age 1) per 1,000 live births,, according to the United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings®.
To recognize Mother’s Day and National Women’s Health Week (May 12-18), here are five tips to consider to support the health of all women, especially expectant and new mothers:
About two-thirds of women each year receive a well-visit nationally, with the rate in Wisconsin at 67.5 percent. These annual visits can include important screenings, counseling and immunizations based on age and risk factors, while providing an opportunity to discuss with your health professional ways to encourage a healthier lifestyle.
One in eight American women will get a breast cancer diagnosis at some point in her lifetime, and most cases are detected by a mammogram before symptoms appear.According to the National Institutes of Health, the five-year breast cancer survival rate has increased significantly in recent years, now reaching more than 90 percent. For patients diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, the five-year survival rate is close to 100 percent.
This means eating well, staying active, getting sufficient sleep and limiting stress as much as possible. For expectant mothers, the U.S. surgeon general advises that no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy, and smoking is unsafe for you and your baby. For support, your health plan may have programs and online services at no additional cost that can help you adopt a healthier lifestyle or, if needed, improve the management of chronic conditions, which is especially important for expectant women.
Avoid early or elective deliveries: For expectant mothers, it is important to understand the risks associated with elective deliveries before 39 weeks of pregnancy and their potential impacts. Studies have shown that early, non-medically indicated cesarean (C-section) deliveries are linked to a higher risk of complications, including infection, hemorrhage or blood clots, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Babies born before 39 weeks are more likely to have respiratory problems and developmental delays, according to a published study.
If you work full time and plan to return to your job after your baby is born, it is helpful to know your company’s maternity leave policy. The Family and Medical Leave Act enables mothers and fathers who have worked at least one year for a company with 50 or more employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off, while many employers offer full or partial paid leave. Under the law, your employer is required to give you the same – or the substantially equivalent – job back after your leave.
We’ve celebrated Mother’s Day for more than 100 years. By considering this information, we can continue supporting the health of women and honor them for their important contributions to our communities.


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 7, 2019


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‘I feel most at peace during this month’: What Ramadan looks like in Milwaukee | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Andrea Waxman
May 8, 2019
A delicious aroma hung in the air as chicken sizzled on a grill outside the Milwaukee Islamic Dawah Center on Monday night. Focusing on their religious leader Imam Yaseen Domineck’s lecture, rather than the savory smell drifting into the building, was likely a challenge as most of the adults present had been fasting since 4 in the morning.
Self-discipline, a focus on spiritual renewal and awareness that not everyone has enough food lie at the heart of the holy month of Ramadan, which local Muslims began observing Sunday evening, May 6. Officially, it begins with the sighting of the new moon.
The Dawah Center gathering attracted about 60 of Milwaukee’s estimated 20,000 Muslims who will continue fasting from dawn to dusk for 30 days.
During Ramadan, Muslims rise before the break of dawn. Following a small meal and morning prayers, they pursue regular activities, including work and school, while fasting during the day. After the sun sets, families, friends and others gather for iftar, a meal that breaks the daylong fast.
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Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, will end in Milwaukee on the evening of Tuesday, June 4.
A three-day celebration called Eid al-Fitr will follow on the first day of the month of  Shawwal. One of the largest celebrations takes place at the Milwaukee Convention Center, 400 E. Wisconsin Ave.
Because Muslims are a small percentage of the population in Milwaukee, Ramadan is thought of as unusual, said Janan Najeeb, president of the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition and a Palestinian American.
Najeeb usually worships at the South Side Islamic Society of Milwaukee, 4707 S. 13th St., which her late father, Mahmoud Othman Atta, co-founded in 1982. In addition, she occasionally visits many of the other nine mosques in the Milwaukee area, she said.
Ramadan unites the Muslim world, said William Muhammad, student minister at the Nation of Islam’s Muhammad Mosque #3, 4202 N. Teutonia Ave. “At the end of Ramadan, we join with the Muslim community so that we can experience the brotherhood of Islam even though we may have different expressions of Islam.”
The Quran, the Muslim holy book, is broken into 30 parts. During Ramadan, one part is read every day, he said, noting that it’s not viewed as a history book but rather as active instruction from God.
Saleem El-Amin, raised a Christian, found Islam when his English professor at the University of Minnesota recommended he read “The Autobiography of Malcom X.” He began in the Nation of Islam, but in 2012 he left that movement and with several others founded the W. D. Mohammed Islamic Center, now located at 4200 N. Holton St.
Ramadan is important, El-Amin said, because the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during this month.
Like all children at holiday times, Muslim children become excited at Ramadan.
Zeynab Ali, whose parents came from Somalia, worships at the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. (Photo by Eric Kleppe-Montenegro)
Najeeb said “the idea of sharing of meals, of coming together as a community with friends, neighbors and anyone who is hungry, every night” excites her.
Because many American Muslims have roots in other countries, it’s “incredibly enriching” that they often bring dishes from diverse cultures to share at the break-the-fast meal, Najeeb said.
Zeynab Ali’s parents left Somalia and came to Louisville, Kentucky, by way of a refugee camp in Kenya, where she was born. She moved to Milwaukee in 2008.
Now a college sophomore who lives with her parents and eight younger siblings, Ali too remembers special Ramadan foods from her childhood. Rice and Somali-style samosas, a triangle-shaped dumpling containing ground meat, cilantro, onions and carrots, are some of her favorites.
She recalls a time when “all I had to do was wash my hands and eat,” but after reaching puberty, young people are expected to fast and help with meal preparations, she said.
Many children age 7 and older fast for part of the day to see what the experience is like, Ali said.
“Ramadan for me is like New Year’s. It’s the month where I’m constantly focused on how to better myself as a Muslim and as a person. I feel most at peace during this month,” Ali said.


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Measles Vaccination Clinics opened by Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
May 8, 2019
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin has opened appointments for measles vaccination at 23 of its primary care locations. Whether a child currently has a Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin primary care doctor or not, families can go online to chw.org/measles to schedule an appointment to receive the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella).
The clinics will provide the vaccine based on a child’s vaccination history in the Wisconsin Immunization Record.
“We want to keep kids healthy and out of the hospital, so we established these clinic appointments to make it as easy as possible for families to start or complete the measles vaccination process,” said Smriti Khare, MD, president of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Primary Care. “Measles was essentially eliminated in America, but we are now seeing cases across the country, including in neighboring states like Illinois and Michigan. We know that the vaccine will prevent the disease and we want to make it as easy as possible to get the vaccination.”
Families can check their child’s immunization record by going to chw.org/measles and following the link to the Wisconsin Immunization Record. If a child’s record includes a “Recommended Now” result for MMR, an appointment can be made online at a location convenient for the family.
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Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin is also sending letters to patients of Children’s Medical Group who may be in need of one or both required doses of the measles vaccine. Letters have been mailed to these households encouraging them to make an appointment with the family’s primary care doctor or through Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin measles clinic online scheduling.
Vaccination efforts at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
In 2009, Children’s made a commitment to boost vaccination rates in our region. By collaborating with community partners, we have been able to increase the vaccination rates among 2-year-olds in our care and throughout the state. Dozens of children every year die in the United States from highly contagious diseases like the flu, measles, mumps and whooping cough. That is why Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin is committed to promoting and increasing vaccination rates of kids in Wisconsin.

author: Children's Hospital of Wisconsin


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Free ‘Photos for the Grads’ | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Corey Fells
May 8, 2019
Corey Fells and the Locals Gallery are pleased to announce a weekend event in which we are happy to house as many graduates from the 8 graders, to high schoolers, and college grads to get their photos taken at the Locals Gallery location at 2018 South 1 Street suite 410 Saturday and Sunday May 11-12 from 8am until 5pm. Please register via EventBrite “Photos for the Grads”, and bring great energy!
This event came about when local photographer Corey Fells started to notice the huge financial burden in graduation by reflecting on his past middle school and high school graduation and the absence of photos to represent those days. In so, from there Corey connected with gallery owner, Darius Smith, and planned to make an event for a weekend around graduation time to allow the kids in Milwaukee to be celebrated and to have one less burden to carry as they cross one of many milestones in their life.
Corey Fells is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His photographs have been featured in numerous exhibitions, publications and media outlets, including NBC News, Blavity BBC, and the Museum of Wisconsin Arts in Washington County. In 2017, Fells created the 100 Womxn Project, a photography series focused on honoring his mother and millennial women of color. His work is dedicated to amplifying the voices of the unseen. Darius Smith and Alvin Connor are photographers turned gallery owners who are creating a space to allow the self-taught artist in the community have a voice by way of their visual, audio or performance based expression.
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author: Corey Fells


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IMG_4249.jpeg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Name *
May 8, 2019

author: Name *


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Faith Community: Join us in celebrating “No Menthol Sunday” on May 19 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Network
May 9, 2019
On Sunday, May 19, city and faith leaders, health advocates and others will celebrate “No Menthol Sunday,” a national day of observance led by the National African American Tobacco Prevention Network and supported locally by the Wisconsin African-American Tobacco Prevention Network (WAATPN), by sharing information about the impact of menthol tobacco use on communities of color.
Congregations of all sizes and faiths are encouraged to help our community move “One Step Ahead,” the theme of this year’s event, and helping others realize that they don’t have to walk their quit journey alone. Menthol, a product used by 8 of 10 African-American adult smokers, is a peppermint flavored anesthetic tobacco companies added to reduce the harshness of cigarettes and other tobacco products, which makes it easier to start and harder to quit.
The addictiveness of menthol is a key contributor to health inequities across the U.S., including here in Wisconsin, where 28% of African-Americans smoke, nearly twice the adult rate in the state. Tobacco, most commonly menthol tobacco, is ‘still’ the number one killer of African-Americans, according to Lorraine Lathen, director of the WAATPN.
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People of faith can play a major role in changing this. Please join us in helping to spread the message. For more information on how your congregation can observe “No Menthol Sunday” you can visit https://www.naatpn.org/nmspledge or contact us via social media at https://www.facebook.com/waatpn/.


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Name *
May 9, 2019


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Safe & Sound hiring Program Director | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Safe & Sound
May 9, 2019
ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY:
About Safe & Sound:
Safe & Sound, Inc. is a comprehensive, community-based response to crime and violence in the City of Milwaukee. Since 1998, Safe & Sound has been dedicated to improving safety in challenged Milwaukee’s neighborhoods. Our three-pronged strategy advances: (1) partnerships with law enforcement, (2) community organizing and (3) youth development. In 2011, we received a White House Champion of Change Award for our innovative approach to making neighborhoods safer. We unite residents, youth, law enforcement and community resources to build safe and empowered neighborhoods.
POSITION SUMMARY:
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Under the direction of Safe & Sound’s executive director, the program director will be responsible for Safe & Sound’s community programs, taking a leadership role in designing, implementing, maintaining and improving programs; coordinating strategy and evaluation; and building partnerships and collaborations. The program director is tasked with hiring and coaching a professional and exceptional team.
The program director must function with sophistication, political savvy and community understanding, both internally and externally. S/he must be able to deliver and be a good steward of Safe & Sound strategies, representing the agency to staff and all external partners including residents, the Milwaukee Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office, departments of the City of Milwaukee, youth serving agencies, CBOs and other stakeholders.
The program director is also responsible for helping to foster a positive culture both within the agency and externally in the Milwaukee community. In addition to organizational leadership and supervision, s/he guides Safe & Sound’s strategic plan and ensures its implementation, suggests innovative plans and processes to improve program functions, works closely with all Safe & Sound co-workers to maintain high levels of accountability and communication and adheres to and demonstrates the six agency values of Support, Authenticity, Collaboration, Transparency, Integrity and Excellence.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
• Must have a valid driver’s license, a vehicle, and automobile insurance. • Must be able to pass a criminal background check.
• Requires City of Milwaukee residence.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred; 5-8 years related experience and/or training in a setting that demonstrates the skills, knowledge and abilities needed to perform the above tasks; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Administrative and management experience. Five years of supervisory experience managing several programs. Experience in working with elected officials, law enforcement, neighborhood organizations, residents, churches. Extensive experience in developing and leading complex partnerships.
COMPUTER SKILLS:
Ability to effectively utilize job-related software including, but not limited to, Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and the internet development tools. Familiarity with social media and its uses is critical
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to write reports and business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from staff, public officials, law enforcement, neighborhood residents, youth, adults, as well as staff of various community-based organizations. Effective public speaking and public relations skills required. Must be able to represent Safe & Sound to all of types of audiences.
OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:
Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a diverse and inclusive environment. Maintain confidentiality of written or verbal information. Knowledge of community issues, the Milwaukee community, and community organizations. Experience and ability to coordinate a large program; ability to administer a variety of projects at the same time; strategic planning in fluid internal and external environment required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work will be performed in an office setting, in neighborhoods, at meetings. Required to work some evenings and weekends for meetings, projects, to accomplish assigned tasks, and to carry out management responsibilities.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Send cover letter, resume, salary history and three professional references with phone and e- mail contact information to Human Resources at hr@safesound.org or mail to:
Safe & Sound, Inc.
Attn: Human Resources 801 W. Michigan Street Milwaukee, WI 53233
Application Deadline: May 15, 2019

author: Safe & Sound


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‘Some of these tribes are gone’: Class makes sure Native American youths never forget their rich heritage | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Bridget Fogarty
May 9, 2019
Brian Frejo, the center’s cultural coordinator, helps a student place his tribes’ names on the map. “Some of these tribes are gone,” Frejo tells the group. “The names that are on here are still alive. That’s you guys. That means your people survived to be here in Milwaukee.”
In the back of the classroom on the second floor of the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center, a “Native American Nations Map” poster hangs on the wall.
Brian Frejo, cultural coordinator at the health center, 930 W. Historic Mitchell St., passes out Post-it notes to the dozen students sitting in a circle. He tells them to write  the names of their tribe or tribes and then gives them a simple task.
“Identify for yourself and for your family where on the map your people are from.”
One by one, students ages 7 and older walk to the poster with Post-its signed Ojibwe, Sioux, Oneida, Potawatomi and more in hand.
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“Some of these tribes are gone,” Frejo said. “The names that are on here are still alive. That’s you guys. That means your people survived to be here in Milwaukee. You are the seventh generation.”
The center’s Youth Empowerment Program, which began in 2015, seeks to connect youths to their tribal history.
Students ranging from ages 7 to 18 attend the program after school Tuesdays and Thursdays to work on homework and participate in cultural activities.
Anne Egan-Waukau, vice chairwoman of the center’s Board of Directors, said the youth program helps to celebrate the students’ culture and “for those who don’t know, educate them on it.”
In addition, “kids are reconnecting and reidentifying with their tribal identity,” said Frejo, who is Pawnee and Seminole and teaches the youth culture classes.
About a dozen students from schools in the Milwaukee area come to the program twice weekly. “Kids are reconnecting and reidentifying with their tribal identity,” says Brian Frejo, who is Pawnee and Seminole. (Photo by Bridget Fogarty)
A typical class begins with a talking circle, in which each student seated takes a moment to share their name, their tribes and how they are feeling on a scale of one to 10. About a dozen students from schools in the Milwaukee area come to the program twice weekly, and many participate in the summer program as well.
Frejo said although youths come from different schools, neighborhoods, tribes and backgrounds, they unite through their identities.
Having grown up in Oklahoma City and living in Milwaukee for the past two years, Frejo said bringing tribal culture and traditions to Central City neighborhoods strengthens a person’s pride and knowledge.
“If you’re grounded in your roots and culture, you can live anywhere,” Frejo said.
Rosita Gonzalez, 17 and a member of the Oneida tribe, has attended the center’s youth programming since its beginnings. She said that as one of three or four Native American students at her school, the health center’s after-school program allows her to connect with her tribal culture and traditions.
The Youth Empowerment Program also hosts monthly family dinner nights, which gives a space for Native families to gather as a community.
During one class, the group discussed how the words peers use every day derive from the languages of their ancestors.
Katy LaRoque, a youth support specialist and teacher at the center, described to the students how “Milwaukee,” for example, has Anishinaabe origins (the language of the Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatami). “Mino-akking,” which translates to “good land,” praises the rich soil Milwaukee possesses.
Frejo said he hopes such teachings will continue to prompt students to make positive decisions, grounded in their culture.
As part of the seventh generation, “they’re succeeding, not just surviving,” he said.
The Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center offers medical, behavioral health, dental, fitness and nutrition services, aa well as community events, for all cultures of the Milwaukee area.
The center’s 14th annual Red Shawl Gala on April 12 honored Gerald L. Ignace, a physician and co-founder of the health center, for his dedication to improving urban native health and resources. His son, Dr. Lyle Ignace, continues his father’s work as executive director at the health center. The Ignace family was awarded this year’s Alumni “Service to the Community Award” by Marquette University.

author: Bridget Fogarty


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 8, 2019


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5 things to do this weekend in Milwaukee: May 10 to May 12 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
May 10, 2019
Nō Studios hosts “Overcoming the darkness,” an exhibit that focuses on domestic abuse, at 5 p.m. Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Nō Studios)
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some events we think you shouldn’t miss this weekend. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.organd put 5 things in the subject line by noon Thursday.
1. Take a walk on 35th Street: Saturday, May 11
Milwaukee residents are invited to walk with the Department of City Development, the Department of Public Works and Safe and Healthy Streets. The purpose of the walk, which is part of the Connecting the Corridor Strategic Action Plan, is to discuss traffic safety issues and potential improvements and there will be a nonwalk option as well. The walk begins at 1 p.m. and will start and end at 3850 N. 35 St.
2. Refugee resettlement in Milwaukee discussion: Saturday, May 11
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Journey House, International Institute of Wisconsin and Marquette University are hosting a “Refugee resettlement in Milwaukee” discussion. The purpose of the talk is to discuss the results of a 2018 refugee survey and the plan to make Milwaukee a place for newcomers. The event starts at 2 p.m. at Journey House, 2110 W. Scott St.
3. Take a hike at Havenwoods: Saturday, May 11
The Sierra Club is celebrating Wisconsin state parks with several events. Starting at 10 a.m., the Great Waters Group will lead a hike through Havenwoods, 6141 N. Hopkins St., to look at the early spring flowers, see the budding trees and discuss the park’s history.
4. Let’s Talk Presents: “Overcoming the darkness” exhibit: Saturday, May 11
“Overcoming the darkness” is an exhibit that focuses on domestic abuse. Through photography, survivors of domestic abuse will be featured as the victims they once were and the women they are today. The event is hosted by Nō Studios, 1037 W. McKinley Ave., and starts at 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.
5. Spread Love Initiative fifth annual Mother’s Day brunch: Sunday, May 12
Spread Love Initiative will be hosting a Mother’s Day brunch for mothers who have lost their children to violence or unforeseen circumstances. Mothers who have lost a child to violence can purchase a ticket via Facebook for free until Friday, May 10. Otherwise, general admissions costs $25 and the sale ends Saturday, May 11. The brunch starts at 11 a.m. at 200 W. Pleasant St.

author: Ana Martinez-Ortiz


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 9, 2019


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Places to take the woman you love on Mother’s Day | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Andrea Waxman
May 10, 2019
Treat your mom to a delicious meal on Mother’s Day. Here are some of our faves. (File photo by Sue Vliet)
It’s not too late to make a date with that special woman in your life. Here are some eateries offering Mother’s Day brunches or specials this year — reservations are highly recommended. And here’s our look at mothers who inspire us.
2Mesa Mexican Eatery
4110 W. Martin Drive
(414) 808-1594
From 11 a.m.
Regular menu plus Mother’s Day specials
Birch and Butcher
459 E. Pleasant St.
(414) 323-7372
9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m
Three-course Mother’s Day brunch starting at $26
“I think it took a long time for me to figure out that she’s the community mother,” says Sojourner White (right) of her mom, Venice Williams. Here are some places to take the woman whom you admire Sunday, May 12. (File photo by Cheri Johnson)
The Fitz
2308 W. Wisconsin Ave. (in the Ambassador Hotel)
(414) 345-5015
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
$45 adults ($15 for children 12 and under)
Mother’s Day Brunch buffet
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Heavenly Grille
831 S. Cesar E. Chavez Drive
(414) 559-6214
From noon
Soul food with Mother’s Day specials
Old Town Serbian Gourmet Restaurant
522 W. Lincoln Ave.
414-672-0206
From 11 a.m.
Serbian menu with special Mother’s Day entrees and desserts
Orenda Cafe
3514 W National Ave.
(414) 212-8573
6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Regular menu and a free mimosa or glass of wine for mothers
Sabrosa
3216 S. Howell Ave.
(312) 834-1929
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Mother’s Day brunch buffet
$28 ($10 for children 10 and younger)

author: Andrea Waxman


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First Stage Theater Academy offers Summer Sessions beginning Monday, June 17, 2019 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
First Stage
May 12, 2019
Cast members of “Luchadora!” rehearse for the Wisconsin Cycle production in 2016 about a young Latina girl and her grandmother. (Photo by Morgan Hughes)
First Stage Theater Academy
June 17 – August 23, 2019
Half-day sessions: 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Full-day sessions: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. or 8:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m., depending on grade level
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First Stage Theater Academy – the nation’s largest high-impact theater training program for young people – offers its summer theater training for students entering grades K4 – 12 in fall 2019. Professional theater artists from across the nation will share their expertise, skills and passion for their art with over 2,000 young people each summer. With programming that includes classes in , , and , students develop their stage skills while simultaneously building life skills such as , and . Teaching Artists this summer include Milwaukee actress and director , Milwaukee theater veteran, director and playwright , Milwaukee actress , actor and more. One-week, two-week, three-week and four-week sessions are available. Next Steps, the Theater Academy class designed for students on the autism spectrum, holds one-week and two-week sessions August 12 – 23.
Registration fees range from $160to $625, depending on length of session. Optional Extended Care (at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center only) for $25-$50 per week. Financial assistance is also available.
Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut Street, Milwaukee,
WI 53212 and  Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, 19805 W. Capitol Drive, Brookfield, WI 53045.
www.FirstStage.org/summer
(414) 267-2970

author: First Stage


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 12, 2019