Urban Milwaukee » April 2010

View from the Waiting Room

MPTV campaigns for a Fit Generation

MPTV has been airing healthy programming for kids for decades. Their new campaign goes one step further

Apr 26th, 2010 by Julie Sneider

Dear Ken Macha

Off limits

This week's letter to Ken declares several of the most overused and underwhelming jokes about Brewers players off limits.

Apr 26th, 2010 by Rob Vosters

Video

Canyons of Static — “Northern Highland”

Check out the new clip from local shoegazers Canyons of Static, courtesy Jack Packard!

Apr 26th, 2010 by DJ Hostettler

Upcoming Events for the Week of April 26th, 2010

Urban Milwaukee’s Upcoming Events & Meetings Calendar should help you keep up to date on important events effecting our neighborhoods, the City of Milwaukee, and our region. April 26, 2010 Community & Economic Development Committee Meeting April 26, 2010 9:00 am The Community and Economic Development Committee hears matters relating to community development, block grants, job development, business improvement districts, city public relations, industrial land banks and revenue bonds, emerging business enterprises, recreation, cultural arts and the library system. The Community and Economic Development Committee meetings start at 9:00 a.m. and are held in the Room 301-B, […] April 27, 2010 Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee Meeting April 27, 2010 9:00 am The Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee reviews issues relating to city development, zoning, historic preservation, incremental tax financing, building codes and housing projects. The Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee meetings start at 9:00 a.m. and are held in the Room 301-B, City Hall, unless otherwise noted.[…] Blue Sky Sustainability Lunch April 27, 2010 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Inspired by the success of Green Drinks Milwaukee. The idea is to get folks together to talk about sustainability, to network and build momentum for the sea change in sustainable consciousness that is on its way! Buy your own lunch and/or beverages, and get in there and meet people! No RSVP necessary and feel free to […] Lecture: Just Because We Can Doesn’t Mean We Should: Planning and the Eminent Domain Authority April 27, 2010 12:00 pm to 1:20 pm Historically, courts have given considerable discretion over the question of the public good to municipal entities. Municipalities seek to navigate the day-to-day realities of managing fiscal, social, and community and economic development issues within their boundaries. The courts have generally been slow to second-guess municipal governmental decision-makers as to whether the public interest is being […] April 28, 2010 FUEL Milwaukee: Government 101 April 28, 2010 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Every day, decisions are being made about your community. From the trash pick-up on your block, to the operating hours of your corner pub, and even the fare increases for your downtown bus ride; a sophisticated and detailed process of government is in place to represent your interests. But, do you feel included in the discussion? […] April 29, 2010 A View of Our City in Three Acts: Act III – The Nexus of Performing Arts & Architecture April 29, 2010 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Historic Milwaukee, Inc. & UPAF Presents: The Nexus of Performing Arts & Architecture. What is the connection between the performing arts, the built environment, a globally competitive local economy, and a unique, differentiated local identity. Panelists Jonathan West – Author of “Milwaukee’s Live Theatre” Debra Loewen – Artistic Director of Wild Space Dance Co. Kevin Stalheim – Present Music […]

Apr 25th, 2010 by Dave Reid

Lecture

Just Because We Can Doesn’t Mean We Should: Planning and the Eminent Domain Authority

Historically, courts have given considerable discretion over the question of the public good to municipal entities. Municipalities seek to navigate the day-to-day realities of managing fiscal, social, and community and economic development issues within their boundaries. The courts have generally been slow to second-guess municipal governmental decision-makers as to whether the public interest is being served. Reluctance to second guess local governmental action is reflected in the jurisprudence that has emerged around the law of eminent domain. Yet, as articulated in her comments as a part of her dissent in the Kelo v. City of New London, 545 U.S. 469 (2005), Justice O’Connor argued that the exercise of municipal authority in the form of eminent domain has had its greatest negative impacts on low-income neighborhoods. Generally, communities have not been protected from the less than favorable impacts of eminent domain. To be sure, there are a set of experiences within communities that memorialize the paradox of governmental action in the form of eminent domain, presumably exercised for purposes of advancing the public good. Government has been required to do very little in terms of identifying the specific metrics that drive their taking decisions, nor has formal cost-benefits calculations played a role in the decision-making process. Typically, there is no objective calculation or precision devoted to assessing whether the taking will create the sustainable effect or public benefits speculated to occur. Fundamentally, the taking of private land by government is about the redistribution of resources within the context of serving a presumed public good that Dr. Harris argues should generate a greater level of equity and social justice, not less. This seminar will provide an understanding of the constitutional and historical opportunities, constraints and trends that contour local governmental authority. It will also offer an understanding of the intersection between community development and eminent domain practice from a community benefits vantage point. Finally, it will explore ideas and strategies related to planning practice that will heighten levels of equity in the context of the exercise of eminent domain authority for purposes of community development. Dr. Kirk Harris is a faculty member in the Department of Urban Planning at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. Dr. Harris has been working on issues related to community development for over 15 years. He is is considered a national expert on community building and is a national keynote speaker on issues related to fatherhood, family support and community development. As a lawyer and advocate, Dr. Harris has worked on a variety of public policy and community issues, included among them are responsible fatherhood, family support practice, community asset-building, parent-engagement and leadership and anti-poverty strategies. During the 2008 Presidential Campaign, Dr. Harris served on then Senator Obama’s Metropolitan and Urban Policy Committee, charged with managing the campaign’s public policy platform. Presently, Dr. Harris works very closely with White House staff and the leadership within federal agencies on issues related to families and communities. More detailed information about the presentation will be available on the SARUP website […]

Apr 25th, 2010 by Dave Reid

Blue Sky Sustainability Lunch

Inspired by the success of Green Drinks Milwaukee. The idea is to get folks together to talk about sustainability, to network and build momentum for the sea change in sustainable consciousness that is on its way! Buy your own lunch and/or beverages, and get in there and meet people! No RSVP necessary and feel free to pass this around. Every fourth Tuesday at NOON held at the Milwaukee Public Market, 400 N. Water Street. Meet in the 2nd floor common area. For more information, contact Mike Mangan at ebikemike@yahoo.com

Apr 25th, 2010 by Dave Reid

Derby Little Secrets

Bruisers head for the big time!

The Shevils head for the championships and the Crazy 8's go winless. April's bout was hard-hitting, fast-moving and full of surprises. Here's the dirt.

Apr 25th, 2010 by Jon Anne Willow

Review