Groundbreaking Community Outreach Programs
Announcing Two New Community Outreach Programs As part of our mission, the Alliance Francaise de Milwaukee, strives to provide French language programs in the community for children who would not otherwise have access to learning a foreign language. Over the next few months, we are preparing to launch two groundbreaking community outreach programs in Milwaukee’s urban core. In partnership with the Malaika Early Learning Center, the Alliance Francaise has created French through African Drumming project to provide access to cultural programs for at-risk children. This program will benefit fifty minority children, ages 3-5, who would not otherwise have access to French language classes. You can make a difference in these young lives, and instill a love of languages by making a contribution. For over 64 years, the Neighborhood House of Milwaukee (NH) has been providing summer day camps for urban youth ages 6-12. The Alliance Francaise will be partnering with NH to provide programs that embrace French culture, language, and healthy eating habits. The French through Food program will teach French vocabulary through quick, simple, and healthy cooking lessons. All children in Milwaukee should have healthy minds and bodies, and the chance to take part in exciting cultural programs. Please consider supporting these programs today. Join us in our commitment to access, diversity, and global perspectives. You can make a difference. Consider making a contribution today. To do so, print the form below and send it to us at: Alliance Francaise de MIlwaukee 1800 E. Capitol Drive Milwaukee, WI 53211 For more information on our community partnerships please call Beth Haskovec at 414-964-3855. Donate Today Name: ____________________________ Address:___________________________ City: ______________ State:__________ Zip: _______________ Yes, I would like to make a donation of ______ to support the Alliance Française de Milwaukee outreach programs. __Check/Cash Charge to: __ Visa __ MasterCard __ Discover __ American Express Account number: Exp. Date: Name as it appears on card (if different): Billing address (if different):
May 11th, 2009 by Erin Donohoe
Save Us From Favre! (18-14)
No, the other Favre… Dear Ken Macha, Another series, Ken, and another victory — against the Cubs, no less. The bullpen shut down hitters when it mattered most and the offense perpetrated the most heinous form of mockery in modern baseball: the Craig Counsell homerun. It’s starting to look like the beginning of the season was just a terrible, late night cheddarwurst induced nightmare. But don’t put those TUMS away just yet, Ken. There’s something far worse than a Ryan Braun brushback pitch to the helmet coming your way. Brett Favre! You’re new around these parts, Ken, so you may not have heard about the yearly local news orgy that is “Favre Watch! 200_.” You have been hiding in the bathroom a lot since Trevor Hoffman rejoined the team. See, what happens is every year we spend way too much time worrying about whether or not Brett Favre is going to play football. Sound silly? Well, it is! But that’s what we do around here — cling to our past moments of greatness, never letting them go until each of our fingers have been individually pried away during the Sturm und Drang of recognizing that we can’t be what we were. Favre is just the largest manifestation of this feeling ever felt by the state’s baby boomers. In terms you might understand, it’s kind of like when in 2005 your contract with the Oakland A’s ended and GM Billy Beane didn’t resign you, but then six days later you were rehired. Now imagine that scenario happened annually for eight years! Why does this matter to you, Ken? Because if it happens again, and it looks like it might, you’re going to be competing for precious fan attention with The Gunslinger. If the Crew starts an ill-timed losing streak during the upcoming week and Favre Watch! continues unabated, you should be prepared to suffer with this monotonous non-story for the rest of the summer, leeching the media attention you rightfully deserve. But, if you can keep the good times rolling along up to and through the looming road trip through St. Louis, Houston and Minnesota you might be able to deprive the Favre media hydra of the attention it craves long enough to keep the focus on your well-playing team. That’ll put even more fans in the seats and a little extra scrilla in Mark Attanasio’s diamond-studded Brewers money clip. To accomplish this, you’re going to need to figure out what’s up with Jeff Suppan. Jordan at Brew Crew Ball doesn’t believe his better than expected outings as of late are a sure signal that everything’s ok. Today, it only took one bad inning to turn an acceptable outing into a loss. Suppan’s starts aren’t inconsequential and every win he earns the team will be well worth it as the pennant race starts heating up. You’re also going to have to protect Ryan Braun from sassy announcers. Ryan’s mammoth home run off on Saturday unleashed the fury of Cub’s announcer Bob Brenly, who […]
May 11th, 2009 by Rob Vosters
Weekly Bookmarks – Monday, 11. May 2009
UWM argues for lakefront site – JSOnline UWM clings to lakefront water school « The Daily Reporter UWM: Pieces of Eight site is great for water school – JSOnline Milwaukee Renewable Energy: Innovative energy efficient apartment building opens for low-income Milwaukee residents Meeting May 26 to discuss HACM Eco Bay proposal for former Army Reserve site : The Bay View Compass UWM project site raises concerns « The Daily Reporter Housing Authority plans "net zero energy" development in Bay View – BizTimes Solar housing development proposed for Bay View – JSOnline ThirdCoast Digest – Flash Mob Architects Invade Milwaukee Growing Power wins Kellogg grant – The Business Journal of Milwaukee: Compromise gives Milwaukee nearly 40% of road stimulus dollars – JSOnline MilwaukeeWorld: EAST VILLAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT FACES CHALLENGE Construction begins for Third Ward apartment development – BizTimes UWM to present lakefront plans for new water program – JSOnline Downer Ave. hotel plans in flux – JSOnline Barrett: Unpaid furloughs of city workers may be needed – JSOnline Affordable housing lacks money « The Daily Reporter Greener Milwaukee Blog: Water Technology talks with… Rich Meeusen RTA plan disappoints transit groups « The Daily Reporter Cognitive Dissidence: The Lesson The County Board Still Has Difficulty Learning Park Lafayette sales center could face eviction – JSOnline Transit plans could see even more changes – JSOnline Lehman a lightning rod in regional transit authority issue – JSOnline Completion of downtown Staybridge Suites delayed – JSOnline Old Navy to leave Shops of Grand Avenue – JSOnline High-speed rail pushed to connect Chicago, Twin Cities – The Business Journal of Milwaukee: Broderick: put UWM water facility at Transit Center – JSOnline Panel recommends bus service for high-speed ferry – JSOnline Construction begins for Third Ward apartment development – BizTimes UWM to present lakefront plans for new water program – JSOnline
May 11th, 2009 by Dave Reid
‘Children of a Lesser God’ and ‘The Great Divorce’
There is - at least on some surface or technical levels - a certain kinship of challenge between the two productions currently staging on two opposite sides of Milwaukee County this month. Both have entirely black stages, with many benches, stairs, or props painted black as well to give the idea that the play takes place in the mind of the main character. That protagonist remains on stage and speaking for most of the time. Both plays have religious or theological underpinnings, although one is more direct about it.
May 11th, 2009 by Brian Jacobson
May 11-17
This week: free concerts, comfort food, fundraisers and the BEST RUMMAGE EVER.
May 10th, 2009 by Erin Petersen
Fasten Closes Storefront; Sparrow Takes Flight
On April 30, Fasten Collective closed the doors to its retail space in Bay View for good. I’d heard murmurings here and there of the store closing, and like most people assumed that it was yet another beloved Milwaukee institution that sadly, fell victim to the economy. As it turns out, I was wrong. About a week prior to the actual closing, owner Janelle Gramling (and designer behind the label Little Ocean) sent out an oddly upbeat newsletter, announcing the end of Fasten’s storefront that at the same time assured friends and customers that Fasten the collective was still alive and well. While Fasten will no longer operate as a storefront, a new cooperative would move in immediately, working to uphold Fasten’s local arts mission while at the same time broadening the store’s inventory by offering wares from around the nation. Enter Sparrow Collective, the joint venture of local artist/designers Jessica Franzen and Lisa Wierzbinski. Franzen and Wierzbinski have been Fasten members since about 2007, and both sold their designs and have volunteered at the store up until now. I chatted it up with the Sparrow ladies and Fasten’s Janelle Gramling about the decision to close Fasten and what this new collective means for Milwaukee’s craft/DIY scene. TCD: What lead you to close Fasten? JG: The decision to close Fasten was a hard one to make. Myself and the member designers were really accomplishing Fasten’s mission successfully – we brought together dozens of local designers and artists, gave them the opportunity to show their work, sell their work, and participate in the gallery/retail operation. Our nurturing atmosphere was really beginning to yield some great talent, the products in the store growing more and more impressive. However, after over three years in business, the store had yet to turn a profit. It became increasingly difficult for me to keep up with the demands of overseeing the store (even with the great help of volunteer designers), and I found myself sacrificing time that I wanted to spend on my own label. I knew that there were things that had to be done to keep the store open. Bringing in designers from out of town, shifting the focus away from clothing and bringing in new more gifty items, and changing consignment rates were all ideas on the table. But I strongly felt as though those changes were all counter to Fasten’s local arts mission. TCD: How was Sparrow created? JG: Jessica and Lisa were member designers volunteering at Fasten a lot. After I started talking with the members about having a hard time keeping things together, they came to me and let me know that they were interested in starting something up. I was relieved that someone had the guts to make it happen and keep the space alive. JF: I always wanted to own my own business and once Janelle announced that she needed to leave the boutique business, We saw it has an open window to take a chance. I think […]
May 10th, 2009 by Erin Petersen
Upcoming Events for the Week of May 11th, 2009
May 10, 2009 Milwaukee County: Economic & Community Development Meeting May 10, 2009 9:00 am The Milwaukee County Economic & Community Development oversees the administration of federal, state and local housing programs in the county, including the Urban Community Development Block Grant Program. Matters pertaining to economic development of Milwaukee County, including the best disposition of county properties, are decided by this Committee. It also makes decisions on the Research […] May 11, 2009 City Plan Commission Meeting May 11, 2009 1:30 pm The City Plan Commission (CPC) is the City’s official planning body established under State statute and is responsible for master planning activities. The CPC advises the Common Council on a variety of land development issues including zoning map changes, revisions in the zoning ordinance, subdivision approvals, business improvement districts, street and alley vacations, public land […] May 12, 2009 Near North Side Area Plan Workshop May 12, 2009 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm The workshop will allow you to meet the plan team, hear a progress report, and participate in a table top exercise that will show us your vision for the area. Your input is truly important.What is your vision for the Near North area in the future? Send us your thoughts, words, digital […] May 13, 2009 Public Works Committee Meeting May 13, 2009 9:00 am The Public Works Committee is responsible for physical services provided by the city such as street and alley maintenance, waste collection, disposal and recycling, sewer, water and flood control projects, assessments, public buildings, land and waterways.Public Works Committee meetings start at 9:00 a.m. and are held in the Room 301-B, City Hall, unless otherwise noted.
May 10th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Economic & Community Development
The Milwaukee County Economic & Community Development oversees the administration of federal, state and local housing programs in the county, including the Urban Community Development Block Grant Program. Matters pertaining to economic development of Milwaukee County, including the best disposition of county properties, are decided by this Committee. It also makes decisions on the Research Park and the Airport Business Park. Meets at 9:00 A.M. on the 2nd Monday before the County Board Meeting The Economic & Community Development Committee will be voting on the proposed Milwaukee County Ground land sale to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Agenda
May 10th, 2009 by Dave Reid
City Plan Commission Meeting
The City Plan Commission (CPC) is the City’s official planning body established under State statute and is responsible for master planning activities. The CPC advises the Common Council on a variety of land development issues including zoning map changes, revisions in the zoning ordinance, subdivision approvals, business improvement districts, street and alley vacations, public land disposition and acquisition, new streets and the approval of development plans in certain overlay districts. City Plan Commission (CPC) meetings start at 1:30 p.m. and are held in the First Floor Boardroom at the Department of City Development, 809 North Broadway, unless otherwise noted. Agenda
May 9th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Near North Side Area Plan Workshop
The workshop will allow you to meet the plan team, hear a progress report, and participate in a table top exercise that will show us your vision for the area. Your input is truly important. What is your vision for the Near North area in the future? Send us your thoughts, words, digital photos (from anywhere!) and help us begin to build a collective vision. Plan update The Contract Management Team for the Near North Area Plan selected Conservation Design Forum of Elmhurst, IL and David Walker of Walk Design Studio of Chicago, IL to head up the consulting team for the Near North Area Plan. The consultants are lining up stakeholder interviews and focus groups and beginning market analysis efforts. Interested in finding out more about the Near North Side Area Plan and to be involved in the process? Send an email to NearNorthSidePlan@milwaukee.gov with your name, organization (if applicable), address and telephone. The workshop will be held at the Villard Avenue library, 3310 W. Villard Ave. More Information
May 9th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Public Works Committee Meeting
The Public Works Committee is responsible for physical services provided by the city such as street and alley maintenance, waste collection, disposal and recycling, sewer, water and flood control projects, assessments, public buildings, land and waterways. Public Works Committee meetings start at 9:00 a.m. and are held in the Room 301-B, City Hall, unless otherwise noted. Agenda
May 9th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Pius XI plays the Pabst
Pius XI High's performing arts office first rented out the Pabst stage a few years ago for a production of Cats. Beauty and the Beast director Kevin Schwartz was also at the helm on that show, and is looking forward to another success. He says it's all about making the kids look good. "I felt it was really important for our students to have at least one shot a year at going to a beautiful theater like the Pabst, which has great acoustics, great sight lines, and comfortable theater seating instead of sitting on the old bleachers," Schwartz explains.
May 8th, 2009 by Hope Stolarski
